To the editor: I read the published letter about the players' Christian statements. The statement that caught my attention was "unless it hurts someone." Although I am Christian, I am not a person who gives it a voice consistently. What I fail to see is how giving credit to God, or the coaches, or the trainers, or the fans, or parents, girlfriends, teachers, etc., becomes tiresome, or, more to the point, hurtful, to fans of OSU.
Because these young men have a platform, given to them by those who are listening as fans or otherwise, and they have a right to speak when the mic is in their face. We have a right to turn it off, roll our eyes, discount their beliefs, should we want to - but it can't be said that it hurts us. I wouldn't jump on the bandwagon to discount whatever these kids said about Jesus Christ.
Jeanne Gibson
To Mr. White: In response to your article concerning Ohio State football and their promoting their religious beliefs: In a time where drive-by shooting, senseless violence and overall lack of respect or dignity, I find it refreshing that somewhere in our society we have some youths of today showing their love for an answer to the problems we face.
Dale Simpson
To the editor: I wonder would you feel the same if the players said something along the lines of a left-wing talking point instead of briefly acknowledging their religious side? This is where your politics comes shining through.
Jim Parent
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Hi Brian: When "Gentleman Jim" (Tressel) accepted the job as lieutenant governor, he made a bigger mistake than he ever made on any football field. He is far too ethical and has way too much common sense to ever fit in today's political landscape.
Rick Higgins, Columbus
To the editor: Forget NIL money. The best payoff for being a Buckeye superstar is life after the gridiron. My top five of most accomplished ex-Buckeyes is led by our next governor, the vest, aka Tressel. Close behind are other politicians like Greg Lashutka, Ben Espy and Stephanie Hightower. No. 4 is the silky voice of college basketball Clark Kellogg. No. 3 is No. 45, Mr. Griffin, who stayed and prospered with OSU employment years after his legs quit their running. No. 2 is a tie with the Boren brothers, who have cleaned up in waste management in central Ohio. Of course, No. 1 is the forever Woody Hayes, whose influence and popularity still live on decades after death. Woody is and always will be the guardian angel of Buckeyes everywhere.
Michael Oser, Columbus
To Brian: The Dispatch has run several stories concerning the poor attendance at men's basketball games. Perhaps this quick summary of my experiences at a men's game and a handful of women's games over the last two years will shed some light on the matter.
Arrive at the Schott an hour ahead of tipoff, then stand in traffic for 35 minutes while being routed to the Jameson Crane parking lot, where I get to hit my credit card for a $20 parking fee. Wait in freezing temperatures another 20 minutes for a shuttle bus, which can't cycle back and forth quickly due to the traffic jam waiting to pay to park. Realize that I'll miss the tipoff if I continue to wait, so I opt to run 3/8 of a mile to the Schott. Wait in line while fans and redcoats struggle to locate and scan e-tickets found somewhere on their phones. Settle into my seat in time to "enjoy" a young child butcher the National Anthem (women's game). Who are the adults enabling this travesty? Head for the lobby at halftime to take aspirin for a headache caused by the ear-splitting PA system and scoreboard exhortations. Buy an $11 empty soda cup (refillable!) in order to take the aspirin since all the water fountains have been removed or locked. Stand in the bitter cold waiting for a shuttle bus to take me back to the lot, where I get to wander around looking for my car in the poorly marked and lit lot. Drive home telling myself I'll never go back. End of experience.
D Fitting
To D: If that is your recurring experience, it sounds like a good reason to stay home and watch on TV.
To Brian: As Jardy and Oller wrote, the men's basketball season is in jeopardy of missing the NCAA Tournament. Any fan has to question Ohio State's irregularities, losing ugly at home (Northwestern) late. Verdict: The expectation is too high. This is Diebler's first year as head coach and his players need a season together. Consistency is developed with game experience and familiarity with each other. The portal and graduation can defer the progress.
Today's college standings are stacked with competitors. And the "road to the Final Four" has become a triathlon. Potential alone isn't enough. To be effective for the journey, successful play must be exhibited full court. The Big Ten tournament will end all hope if the Buckeyes don't shoot well. Understandably, the skills are there to win. But ultimately, execution (and 20 wins) gets one into the Dance.
Larry Cheek, Dublin
To Larry: In previous years, I'd agree with you on the point about players needing a season together. But these days, that doesn't happen very often. The transfer portal is overtaking the sport, and that requires a different kind of coaching. It's now all about roster retention and recruiting veterans. Diebler will likely have to work hard to keep his good players from leaving the way Roddy Gayle, Zed Key and Felix Okpara did. Bruce Thornton is likely to field some lucrative offers from other teams.
To Brian: Pitchers and catchers report is still music to my ears that warms a cold winter's day, but salaries are out of control. When Babe Ruth signed to play for $80,000 in 1930 with the depression underway, a reporter questioned him about making $5,000 more than the president. The Babe's response was that he had a better year. Now Juan Soto signs a contract guaranteeing him $314,814 for each of the 2,430 games the Mets will play over the next 15 years, which is more than Jackie Robinson earned his entire 10-year career. There used to be the concept of the law of diminishing return, but I guess that's so 20th century now. I wonder if Elly De La Cruz will be that first billion-dollar player and just where is the tipping point?
Dennis Singleton, Dayton
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