LETTERS: DEFENSE DOESN'T GET THE GLORY

To the editor:

Consider this plot for a moment: It is the middle of August. It is 102 degrees in the shade. You can't wait for the next water break so you can rid your mouth of the dirt-saturated cotton ball you have been chewing on for the last hour and a half. With each scrimmage, you are brought to the ground like a calf being wrestled.

What is this all worth? Your chance to play in the most beloved game of all time: football. the cold-weather sport. That is the best it is going to get for the defensive units. Their chance to play in the most anticipated game of the year. That is what they will get out of their grueling hours of practice in the hottest part of the year. They will not make the headlines. In fact, unless folks like me go to the games, they don't even exist. It is the offensive units that win games.

At the beginning of every year, the paper prints a rundown of each team. The writers evaluate each team's offensive and defensive units. They brag on this team's defense, or how that team's defense is going to be the best in Southeast Missouri. What happened to them? Are they still the best? How should I know? One thing I do know is that games are won on the field, not in the paper.

For all you defensive linemen, linebackers, and defensive backs who practiced in the hot weather solely for playing time in the final game, I give you this: In that championship game, be sure and get a picture taken with Mom and Dad on the 50-yard line, because you will not have newspaper clippings or five-second segments on Heartland Football Friday to remember your playing years.

C. ALLEN COLLIER

Scott City, Mo.