Should Bobby Bowden Be a ‘Roll’ Model?

By using “Let’s roll” as his Seminoles’ 2002 motto, Coach Bobby Bowden demeans the sacrifice made by Todd Beamer and others who prevented the Sept. 11 crash into another populated building. Beamer knew that his life was coming to an end. He wasn’t trying to win some football game. He wasn’t trying to break some beer-chugging record at a tailgate party.

Todd Beamer’s wife told him that someone was crashing planes, and he took decisive action. “Let’s roll” is a life-and-death utterance of ultimate human dignity. It should never be used in a frivolous manner. The only people who can use it legitimately are people who are risking their lives going into deadly battle. Somebody should tell Bobby Bowden what those words really mean.

Keith F. Shirey

Altadena

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I think the furor over Bobby Bowden and “Let’s roll” is only slightly sillier than Jim Bowden’s fine for his comments regarding the baseball strike date. The best choice of words? No. Insensitive and outrageous? No again.

We bemoan the fact that sports are too businesslike and that they aren’t fun anymore. Then we crucify the guys who are trying to keep it fun with over-the-line comments. It won’t be long before every GM, coach and athlete will be so afraid to be politically incorrect that they will all be as interesting to watch as Bud Selig explaining why a tie in the All-Star game is a good thing.

Rick White

La Verne

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Does Bobby Bowden’s use of “Let’s roll” as his team’s motto imply that Florida State’s opponents are America-hating terrorists?

Bob Shapiro

Goleta