On Unitas statue, give credit where it's due

In response to Miles Goodman's letter last week thanking the Modell family for recognizing the Colts and giving the Unitas statue, the public should know the truth.

This is not to deny that the Ravens, along with the Maryland Stadium Authority, provided the venue for the tribute for Johnny Unitas as well as a contribution to the statue.

However, if not for the effort of Fred Kail, the sculptor, to honor his good friend Unitas, and the wonderful generosity of prominent Baltimore businessmen, there would be no statue.

The statue alone was more than a year in the making. The concept to honor Unitas and all of the funding was all done prior to Unitas' death by the Tribute to Johnny Unitas Committee, headed by Bruce Laird and Ted Bauer.

It was the committee's enthusiasm and dedication to enshrine Unitas that led to the creation and funding of the statue. Unitas himself was very aware and supportive of the sculptor and the committee.

Therefore, when it comes to the accolades and the thanks for giving Baltimore the 14-foot statue of Unitas, the fans should observe the bronze plaque on the base of the statue, which recognizes the groups and individuals involved.

The public should also know that, in addition to funding the statue, the committee presented a check for $30,000 to Frank Gitshier of the Unitas Golden Arm Educational Foundation.

David Spilman Baltimore

CCBC-Dundalk AD did the right thing

Hooray for Community College of Baltimore County-Dundalk athletic director Marc Ershler ["Dundalk orders forfeiture of playoff," Nov. 1].

Despite the college soccer team's win and advancement to the next playoff round, Mr. Ershler put sportsmanship first, which is unheard of in this win-at-all-costs era.

I would only hope other athletic directors at all levels would take notice or have the guts to do what Ershler did.

Unfortunately, too many coaches, parents and players would not let it happen. The behavior of many players, coaches and parents today is downright embarrassing.

In an age when it seems sportsmanship has gone out the window, it is refreshing to see an athletic director take a stand and make a statement.

I congratulate Mr. Ershler! I would be proud to have my son or daughter participate in his school's athletic programs.

Randy Bieganski Ellicott City

Preston should cut Ravens some slack

No doubt the Ravens played poorly against the Pittsburgh Steelers last week, but as usual Sun columnist Mike Preston went overboard in his criticism ["Comfort zone, not end zone, root of defeat," Oct. 28].

Preston never credits coach Brian Billick when the Ravens win, but always lays it on heavy when they lose.

This is a young team that is going to have good games and bad games. Everyone knows this, and Preston should cut Billick and the team some slack.

It seems Preston has a one-man vendetta against Billick.

John C. Clarke Sr. Bradenton, Fla.

Ravens-Steelers not much of a rivalry

I cannot understand why it has become common in the Baltimore, Pittsburgh and national media to refer to "bad blood" and a "rivalry" between the Ravens and the Steelers.

Where the fans are concerned, the rivalry seems one-sided: There is clearly a hatred of the Steelers among Ravens supporters I have encountered at two Ravens-Steelers matchups in Baltimore, but I sense no particular anti-Ravens passion among Steelers fans in Pittsburgh and around the country.

We Steelers fans hate not the Ravens but the Raiders, the Cowboys and especially the Browns - not the Browns/Ravens but the new Browns, whom we quickly acknowledged as the heirs to Cleveland's end of the interrupted, storied rivalry.

Meanwhile, Pittsburgh is 10-4 against Baltimore, by my quick count, since the purple-shirted team set up shop in Charm City; not much of a rivalry there.

And among the players, the "bad blood" seems largely limited to self-aggrandizing loudmouths like the Steelers' Plaxico Burress and his alter egos on the other side.

Joe Fiorill Washington

Poly's Lumsden indeed was a legend

I returned from an extended trip to learn that longtime Poly teacher, coach and athletic director Bob Lumsden had died last week.

As the article appropriately stated, he was indeed a legend. He was a legend not just for the impressive records that he established in football and baseball, but for what he created in the young men who passed through his care.

Having played football and baseball for him from 1958 to 1960, as well as being his student in the classroom, I can say that he truly brought out - nay, demanded - the best from you. While there were many outstanding athletes who played for him, his greatest skill was in teaching teamwork, which served many of us well as we progressed in our life.

He taught and coached at a school with a concrete campus, which would probably be an anathema to a successful athletic program today. But he was able to create a commitment in young men that transcended the environment and built loyalty and character that helped form them as men.

Brice R Gamber Royal Oak

Phrase in cartoon was in poor taste

I consider the embedded use of the phrase "immaculate conception" in your sports cartoon of Oct. 27 to be very offensive to me and to my Roman Catholic family and friends.

We hold all of our beliefs in deep faith and consider your subtle inclusion of our dogma in your attempt at sports humor to be direct Catholic-bashing and in extremely poor taste.

I feel a retraction and a published apology is in order.

John J. Quinn Forest Hill

Fan-friendly Blast a breath of fresh air

Recently my son and seven of his 8-year-old friends attended a Blast indoor soccer game at the Baltimore Arena.

For a nominal fee, the Blast has a program for kids to celebrate their birthdays at the arena. The children meet their favorite player, get a behind-the-scenes trip to the locker room, run out on the field during pre-game introductions and see their names on the scoreboard.

In this era of surly, multimillion-dollar athletes, it's easy for fans to become jaded and cynical concerning professional sports. From the outset, the Blast players and front office were terrific with the children.

To a man, they were affable and approachable.

Thank you, Blast, for a memorable evening.

Louis R. Fritz Baltimore