COLLEGE FOOTBALL

A special thank youfrom a player’s mom

On Sunday, Dec. 2, we were flying from Reno to Boise with a stop in San Francisco after attending the BSU football game and my son’s last regular-season game of his senior year.

The football banquet was scheduled to begin at 5 p.m. Our flight was to arrive in Boise at 2:30. The flight out of Reno was delayed and our connecting flight left as scheduled. Stranded were Chris Potter’s family, Tyler Jackson’s parents and us, JC Percy’s parents — all senior players’ families.

The standby flight we tried to get on was totally full. The families were totally distraught. A very special young lady gave her ticket to my husband to try to help. That was the most thoughtful, giving act of kindness. The tears rolled down my face. I was the only person who was able to attend the banquet. My heart broke for the Potters, Jacksons and my husband.

Once home, I realized I had lost a note with her name and email address. My son, husband and I are so grateful for her generosity. We truly appreciate what she did — words can’t express enough.

You’re one heck of a special person. Thank you.

JULIE PERCY, Blackfoot

Losing respect forthe Heisman Trophy

The Heisman Trophy should be retitled as the annual award for the best offensive player.

Again, last Saturday, voters — many of them past winners and offensive players who will not vote for a defensive player, lest the exclusive club lineage be threatened — showed their bias, as did many media voters selecting the freshman from Texas A&M.

The voters continued with history and gave the prize to an offensive player, rather than Manti Te’o, who by play, leadership, performance and senior experience was the more deserving player.

The Statesman’s Mike Prater got it right, voting Te’o No. 1, making the correct ballot choice.

The Heisman Trophy Trust needs to adopt reality and mirror what the prize actually signifies — the best offensive player award, not the best player award.

This year, the best player was a defensive player. It’s a sad commentary, which diminished the respect I had for the trophy.

MARSHALL BAKER, Boise

Southwick needs to work on his on-field demeanor

I am wondering if anyone else saw the disrespectful attitude Joe Southwick displayed during the second half of the Nevada game.

The play was a pooch kick that Joe placed inside Nevada’s 10-yard line. The ball bounced back over the heads of Boise State defenders and Joe (still on the field) began shouting, pointing and appeared to be complaining that the team was unable to down the ball closer to the goal line than they did.

How arrogant is Joe? Removing your helmet, shouting, pointing at teammates on the field and complaining is uncalled for, arrogant and has no place in team sports.

Joe, you should be ashamed of yourself and your display of arrogance. If I were one of your teammates, you, me and your locker would be having an up-close-and-personal discussion.

Your comments and observations are welcomed. Thanks to all the team players on the BSU football team.

RICO ROJAS, Boise