Letters

Saints and the City
In this era it is hard to find players interested in bettering the team instead of themselves (Marching In, Jan. 22). Drew Brees chose New Orleans because of the chance to help rebuild. Deuce McAllister mentored Reggie Bush while seeing his own playing time split. And Bush has done as much for the city off the field as on. Thanks, Saints.
Chad Roberts, Gretna, La.

Beck's Appeal
There is only one problem with David Beckham's coming to the L.A. Galaxy (SCORECARD, Jan. 22): Soccer is still BOOOORRRIIINNNGGG!!
Dick Meyer, Matthews, N.C.

Nude Descending a Mountain
Can you explain to my two children why there is a naked man skiing on page 21 of this week's issue (SCORECARD, Jan. 22)?
Phillip Woeckener, Conover, N.C.

I beg to differ with the caption for the picture of Rainer Schoenfelder—"ugly"? Are you kidding me? If this is the result of global warming, bring it on.
Susan DiGirolamo, Pittsburgh

Report Retorts
While it was great for this hockey fan to see so many pages devoted to a sport increasingly marginalized by the mainstream media ( NHL Midseason Report, Jan. 22), I did have to wonder why, in all those articles, I never saw these two words: Alexander Ovechkin. The league would do well to not just push Sidney Crosby as the next Jordan but also to shine the spotlight on both players, making them hockey's Bird and Magic.
Mark Coale, Virginia Beach

Your NHL midseason report stated that the St. Louis Blues' attendance was down 43% versus last season. I feel compelled to correct the number. Through 23 home games the Blues average attendance was 11,829, down 15% versus last season. Our attendance was soft in the beginning of the season, but for the first 10 home games after Andy Murray became the head coach on Dec. 11, we averaged 13,268. And since our coaching change the team has gone 14-7-4. The Blues are playing competitive hockey, and our great fans are showing their excitement.
Peter McLoughlin, CEO
St. Louis Blues Enterprises, St. Louis

EDITOR'S NOTE:
SI regrets the error.

Dance Lesson
In Who's Hot, Who's Not (PLAYERS, Jan. 22) the Chargers' Shawne Merriman said the Patriots didn't need to "rub it in" by imitating his Lights Out dance after their 24--21 playoff win in San Diego. His comment shocked me. Every time Merriman does that postsack celebration, he rubs it in to the opposing team. Tough luck on the loss, but be a man about it. If you can dish it out, you shouldn't complain when you get it.
Ian O'Neill, Chapel Hill, N.C.

Meal Plan
Your story on the young Muhammad Ali (The Lost Photographs, Jan. 22) brought back this recollection: In February 1961 I was 11, and our family was getting ready to go out to dinner: My dad wanted to listen to Cassius Clay's fight with Jim Robinson on the radio but didn't want to upset my mom by making us late. Two minutes into the first round Clay knocked Robinson out. Problem solved.
Hugh W. Baca, El Dorado Hills, Calif.

Alas! I confess to being among the 98% of the great uninformed populace who doesn't know what advice Polonius gave to young Laertes. Stick and move? Stay off the ropes? I await enlightenment.
Brian Stockton, Grand Island, N.Y.