19th Hole: The Readers Take Over

FRANCO
Sir:
Roy Blount Jr.'s piece on Franco Harris (The Ascent of an Enigma, Aug. 23) was extraordinary. I thought such mastery might be lost forever with the passing of Red Smith. But I think even Red would be hard pressed to render a portrait as exquisite. We need to hear from Roy more often.
THOMAS HEALY ENNIS
Norwalk, Conn.

Sir:
Congratulations to Roy Blount Jr. for a wonderful article. As an avid Steeler and Harris fan, I'd rather see Franco step out of bounds than throw himself about the field the way Larry Brown used to do. We all know how long Larry lasted [1969-76]. I'm also counting the days until Harris catches the great Jim Brown in total rushing yardage.
DAVID E. BENZ
North Canton, Ohio

Sir:
Franco Harris isn't the hardest-hitting back in football; he's the smartest. He's already outlasted Jim Brown, and he's sure to outgain him as well.
MARK FORSTER
Overland Park, Kans.

Sir:
Three summers ago, a Wendy's Old Fashioned Hamburgers restaurant opened on a fast-food-laden strip in Wildwood, N.J., with Franco Harris touted as co-owner. For weeks it was announced that Franco would be at the restaurant and in the area for promotional purposes. One evening around midnight I drove by Wendy's and recognized that unmistakable athlete outside by the drive-through window. Only at that late hour, Franco wasn't shaking hands or signing autographs—he was taking orders. Now I ask you, is that the mark of a lazy man?
JUSTIN J. CATANOSO
Clermont, N.J.

Sir:
Your article on Franco truly described a super person. Franco's sister-in-law, Gail Harris, was our PTA president in 1981, and she arranged for Franco to speak at our school in April of that year. In fact, Franco not only spoke to the students in grades six, seven and eight, but also spent most of the day in our school. He impressed me as being someone who's willing to give that little bit extra—as his rushing statistics indicate.
JOHN BUYARSKI
Principal
J. Harold Duberson School
Mays Landing, N.J.

BEACH SCENE
Sir:
I save the issues of SI that I find particularly well done—I have a great many. Into the special collection goes the Aug. 23 issue on the strength of Richard Mackson's photo essay on beach volleyball (Having a Ball at the Beach). This country is gaining respect internationally for its Olympic volleyball teams, and more people need to know just what kind of sport volleyball is when played by excellent athletes. Most people have never seen top-notch power volleyball—and 100-mph spikes aren't the only excitement. A great dig or a block of a hard spike is pretty amazing, too! There's also a whole lot more to the game than just the beach scene.
PATRICK DICKEY
National Referee
U.S. Volleyball Association
Topeka, Kans.

Sir:
I greatly enjoyed the photo essay on volleyball, but I have one minor complaint. You gave us a beautiful look at Theresa Lee Smith, runner-up in the 1981 Los Angeles Miss Cuervo contest. I thank you for that. However, in all fairness to the winner, Vicki Sue Benson, and to us readers, I believe a front-side glimpse of her is also in order. Please?
MIKE WEIS
Ralston, Neb.

Sir:
If I may make a casual observo,
Your cameraman just lost his nervo.
After snapping her stern
He should have yelled "Turn!"
At the fantastic first-place Miss Cuervo.
OLD JACK HOLTZ
Moline, Ill.

?For a side view, see below left.—ED.

Sir:
After seeing Theresa Lee Smith, Vicki Sue Benson and Carol Revello in your article on volleyball, I say who needs a swimsuit issue? But please still send me mine.
STEVEN ROSE
Branford, Conn.