Letters

Underdogs
I was happy to see my favorite Charger, Darren Sproles, on your Jan. 12 NFL playoffs cover—we're both 5'6", he just has 60 pounds on me—and humbled to read Mitch Albom's tribute to Detroit. You don't realize it unless you've lived there, but Detroit has an unbelievable will to survive. I miss you, Hockeytown.
Jil Santi Carroll, El Cajon, Calif.

Mo' on Motown

As Carl Sandburg defended his city in his poem Chicago, so does Mitch Albom defend Detroit (And Yet ..., Jan. 12) with his story. We may be a little down now, but we're not out. We'll be back, and it won't be just in sports.
Thomas A. Mauro, DeWitt, Mich.

To all those struggling to make ends meet, the Detroit Lions are truly America's Team.
Bill Gordon, Thermopolis, Wyo.

Albom's article and his city are both 16--0 as far as I'm concerned.
Jeff Hirsh, Cincinnati

My automotive career unexpectedly sent me to Atlanta more than eight years ago. And yet a large piece of me remains in Detroit. When the Tigers, Pistons, Red Wings and, yes, even the Lions come to town, I, along with legions of fellow displaced Detroiters, cheer them on. People see us applauding our hometown heroes, but what they fail to understand is that we are really applauding a blue-collar standard of authenticity and resiliency that can only be known by being raised in working-class Detroit.
Jason Jager, Smyrna, Ga.

In a story that boasted about a Detroiter's pride and ability to persevere through tough times, without complaining or asking for pity, Albom turns right around and does both of these things. While I appreciate your frustration, Mr. Albom, you're from Detroit. Suck it up.
David Boduch, Livonia, Mich.

There's no question that Detroit has serious problems as a city. But don't try to get me to shed a tear for its sports fans. Yes, the Lions are indescribably bad. But I'm sure there are millions of fans who wish their city had hosted the World Series, the NBA Finals and the Stanley Cup finals in the past five years. And not many cities have hoisted three championship banners in the past seven years.
Jason Mazda, Avalon, N.J.

Sorry, Mitch, but GM, Ford and Chrysler started losing money way before 2008. Just because the Lions finished 0--16 doesn't make me want the government to bail out another losing cause.
Veronica Birch, Littleton, Colo.

Suspended Judgment