Super Game Deserved a Little More Exposure

Super Bowl math:

Tom Brady minus Adam Vinatieri equals Jim Kelly.

Jim Mendes

Los Angeles

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Vinatieri, loosely translated, is Italian for “Robert Horry.”

John Thompson

Chino

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It’s a shame that one of the most entertaining Super Bowl games ever was relegated to back-seat status at halftime by the network’s own acronym:

Cheesy Burlesque Show.

Mark J. Featherstone

Windsor Hills

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Wow! An almost completely bared breast!

I’d much rather have my young daughter see that than change the channel and see on the evening news the murders, dead soldiers, deviant behavior and violence.

In Europe and many other areas of the world, this would be such a nonissue. I am not ashamed of the human body. I am ashamed at how humans have no regard and respect for the human race and continually kill each other for selfish, hateful and ignorant reasons.

I say to everyone: Get a life!

Steven J. Shaevel

Woodland Hills

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I’ve never had much luck remembering Super Bowls by their numbers -- all those Roman numerals are confusing. But this year is different.

XXXVIII-C

Or maybe D.

Fritz Griffin

South Pasadena

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T.J. Simers’ story of John Elway’s Hall of Fame selection, but mostly about his life and trials [Feb. 1], was an outstanding piece and certainly demonstrates his journalistic skills and capabilities.

Why in heavens does he, or you allow him to, write his frequent drivel when he has that talent?

Rick Taylor

Huntington Beach

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Regardless of how the Maurice Clarett ruling stands up on appeal, it is the duty of NFL officials to address the needs of these early-entry players before this raindrop becomes a thunderstorm. If the NFL, its coaches and its owners are serious about minimizing the negative impact of college freshmen, sophomores or even high school stars playing in a league of grown men, they must learn from the mistakes of the NBA. A mediocre talent pool that cannot excel at the basics of the sport will plague and tarnish their reputation.

In effect, all 32 NFL owners are obligated to create a pact that ensures that any team that drafts an early-entry player will not play that individual until three years after he has graduated from high school. Salaries for these players will not count toward the salary cap until the age requirement is met.

In lieu of college football, teams will have to assume the task of maintaining the league’s consistent brilliance. The absence of a minor league only makes it more imperative that players who fall outside the collegiate structure must have a pay-for-play option that will teach them the skills and toughness needed to keep the NFL juggernaut afloat.

Either that, or we should all prepare for an era of 32 teams that play like the Arizona Cardinals. A disturbing thought, indeed.

Matthew M.F. Miller

Santa Monica

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The recent cancellation of the highly entertaining “Playmakers” amounted to the NFL’s throwing another bucket of water onto what already is the biggest wet blanket in sports.

Did the NFL actually feel threatened by a soap opera? That’s like hospitals going on strike to protest their inaccurate portrayals on “General Hospital” and “E.R.” What’s next? Suspensions for celebrating in the end zone? Whoops ...

Here’s a memo to the NFL brass: Bart Starr and Paul Hornung don’t play anymore, the merger was approved, and entertaining the fans that pay your salaries is a good thing. Stop taking yourselves so seriously.

Jared Kushida

La Canada