Letters to the sports desk

Give the veterans some respect

As a long-term alumnus and supporter of UCLA football, I am
ashamed and embarrassed by the poor treatment given our seniors on
the football team.

Cases in point: Manuel White is listed as a starter and captain,
yet has not started either of the games to date. White is listed in
the top-4 fullbacks and top-12 tailbacks for next year’s NFL
draft, yet is not good enough to start on this team. His stats are
better than Drew’s, yet they play the sophomore and not the
senior who stayed and talked others into staying when all the
others left a year ago.

Where is the loyalty?

Pat Norton, another senior, was replaced by a sophomore after 35
practices. Norton has shown he is committed to this program, and
has done everything asked of him, yet he is replaced by another
sophomore who continues to miss more blocks than he makes. Pitre
has not opened a hole for either White or Drew, yet Norton is
replaced by a sophomore who should be receiving grades of less than
50 for each of these last two games.

Norton stayed and worked his tail off, yet he is benched in
favor of a smaller, less effective player.

And what about Jason Harrison? Here is another upperclassman who
has more than proven his commitment to the school. He hasn’t
even gotten into a game yet, but other underclassmen have.

UCLA is openly disrespecting the very players who have committed
themselves to the program.

They may be thinking they are building for the future, but I am
not willing to write off the present. I will talk with every
alumnus I can find, especially those who contribute until UCLA
starts demonstrating values.

Bring Toledo back if you must ““ at least he did not openly
disrespect those who have been committed to the team.

Robert Brown UCLA alumnus

Were you having a flashback?

Nice job on the football insert headline on (Nov. 6),
“UCLA v. Washington.” First, I believe you guys picked
the Bruins to finish eighth in the Pac-10, and now we’re
going back in time to Sept. 18th when we beat Washington.

Here’s some news for ya ““ We play Washington State
tomorrow! I know in the midst of this disastrous presidential
election it’s tempting to jump in a time tunnel back to
kinder, gentler times, but let’s toughen up and stay in the
present.

Rachel Lathy UCLA staff member