Will Iowa’s Long Heed Fan Mail?

Dear Chuck: You are a great quarterback. Please stay at Iowa and take us to the Rose Bowl. Signed, Hawkeye fans everywhere.

The above sums up the flood of mail University of Iowa quarterback Chuck Long has received from Hawkeye fans trying to influence his decision on whether to play for the school one last season or enter the National Football League draft, in which he is certain to be a high pick? Long is eligible for the NFL draft because he will be a fifth-year college senior.

Long, expected to make his announcement soon, said his mail is running 50-1 for returning to Iowa.

“I guess I’ve gotten about 200 letters since we got back from the bowl (the 55-17 Freedom Bowl victory over Texas),” said Long, who threw six touchdown passes in the game.

Michael Foust of Des Moines wrote: “You did really good in the Freedom Bowl. Please stay another year at Iowa and maybe you will win the Heisman Trophy.”

Bill Schloemer of Texarkana, Ark., stressed the importance of getting a degree, and young Kenny Landgrebe of Newton, Iowa, wrote: “Please stay at Iowa. We need you. I like you very much. You are a super quarterback. I would like to be like you. I am 8 years old. . . .”