Letters

The Chosen One
Thank you for your wonderful profile of Brett Favre (Sportsman of the Year, Dec. 10). All season long I've pondered what I would tell my yet-to-be-born children about this hero on and off the field. Your article says it all perfectly. I plan on saving this issue until they are old enough to understand it.
Jonathan Sigall, Forest Hills, N.Y.

What a treat to read about a person who has used his well-earned fame and wealth to help others in need.
Robert Wallace, Crestwood, Ky.

I am inclined to think Sportsman of a Generation may have been a more appropriate title and honor.
Jed Martin, Fairbury, Neb.

For the second year in a row SI snubbed the most deserving candidate. Roger Federer was the obvious choice for many reasons: In 2007 he set the alltime record for consecutive weeks ranked No. 1 (at 205 and counting); he won his fifth consecutive Wimbledon championship; he won a record fourth consecutive U.S. Open title; he won three of the four Grand Slams (for the second year in a row); and his humanitarian work off the court is well-documented, including his role as a UNICEF international Goodwill Ambassador and his winning the Laureus Sportsman of the Year Award for the third consecutive year. If he continues his record-setting pace, perhaps next year SI will recognize a man—and a sport—it has so obviously ignored in the past.
Arlen Kantarian
CEO, Professional Tennis, USTA
White Plains, N.Y.

Heart of the Matter
What an insightful and well-written article about the dangers of HCM (Broken Hearts, Dec. 10). David Epstein did a great job of imparting information and putting faces on a condition that should be familiar to all athletes, parents of athletes and coaches.
Gary and Carolyn Waterson
Benzonia, Mich.

As an NCAA track and field athlete and a two-time marathoner who has an abnormally large and globular heart, I have been concerned with ailments such as HCM for some time now. Although I have had my heart tested for general health, I have never had it specifically tested for HCM. Your article opened my eyes and has given me the motivation to have my heart checked for specific conditions.
Scott Moncur, Providence

I predict that Epstein's article will have the same effect as the publicity given to stress fractures in runners 25 years ago. It wasn't until sportswriters wrote about the condition that physicians and athletic trainers took notice. The huge difference, of course, is that Epstein's article will save lives. That is the greatest contribution anyone can make to society.
Bill Moore, M.D., Santa Fe

Blood Drive
Kudos to S.L. Price for his great article on the extensive athletic achievements of the Rolles in the United States (Rolle Call, Dec. 10). Their success is a testament to how hard work and belief in family can make a difference for generations to come. No doubt Myron Rolle will succeed in his plans to give back to the people of the Bahamas by opening a free medical clinic there when his playing days end.
Ed Cotter, Riverside, Calif.

Eight Isn't Enough
Your eight-team college football playoff just doesn't cut it (Can You Say Playoff? Dec. 10). If a playoff doesn't include the C-USA, MAC, Mountain West, Sun Belt and WAC champs, it has no validity whatsoever. Eleven champions, five at-large bids, 16 teams. Let's get to it.
Marty Lange, Austin

The only solution for fans who want a playoff is to not watch the BCS games. Low ratings equals change in the world of television. Period.
Steve Button, Addison, N.Y.