Letters

Loving Raymond

When I saw your story on the greatest game ever, the 1958 Colts-Giants championship game, I naturally thought it would be another tribute to the great number 19, Johnny Unitas, who was the winning quarterback that day. I was pleasantly surprised to discover the little-known story of his top receiver, Raymond Berry , and the amazing persistence he showed to become the best he could be, and one of the game's best ever.
Steve McKenna, Madison , N.J.

As an eight year old I watched my first pro football game on TV and saw the Colts beat the Giants in the 1958 NFL championship game (The Best Game Ever, April 28). That day I became a lifetime NFL fan and a lifetime Johnny Unitas fan. Your story on the unique dedication of Raymond Berry and his critical catches down the stretch adds to the mystique of what, 50 years later, is indeed still the best game ever.
Steve Kurtz, Casper, Wyo.

The day of The Best Game Ever was also my wedding day. My family loved football and would not leave the TV until the game ended. Later this year my wife and I will celebrate 50 wonderful years together, but it will take another 50 years for my in-laws to forgive my family for being 15 minutes late to the wedding.
W. James Orovitz, Coral Gables , Fla.

I was glued to the TV set in my home in Maryland on that winter Sunday in 1958 and will never forget that game. I patterned my play after Raymond Berry , and also the Bears' Harlon Hill , and became an all-state end in 1958 and '59 using head and body fakes learned from them.
Jack Divers, Hickory, N.C.

Your article on the NFL championship game left me with mixed emotions. I was a nine-year-old Giants fan, and I remember my five-year-old brother and I crying ourselves to sleep after the game. I still say that the Giants were robbed of a critical first down in that game by a bad spot!
John Michels, Montgomery , Ala.

I attended that game, at age 21, sitting in the bleachers at Yankee Stadium . My ticket cost $4. I wonder what you can get for four bucks at Yankee Stadium these days.
Allan Henderson, Kearny, N.J.

Raymond Berry was my receivers coach at Arkansas in the early '70s. Mark Bowden 's story perfectly captured Coach Berry 's deep humility, innovative training techniques, self-effacing humor and intense focus.
Churchill Buck Young
Rocky Mount , N.C.

In the late '80s I took my son to the Patriots' training camp. We waited around after practice, hoping to get autographs from some of the coaches, usually the last to leave the field. Most refused our requests. But Berry , the head coach, not only signed our football, he also stayed and spoke with my son about school and sports for at least 20 minutes. He gave us a moment that neither of us will ever forget.
Michael F. Grenier, Port St. Lucie , Fla.

Great game? You bet. It was pivotal, as far as moving football into the public eye. But the 1969 Jets-Colts game played a far bigger role in football's becoming the national pastime.
Frank Moe, Florissant , Colo.