McIlroy says Europe silenced critics with class in Ryder Cup victory
Rory McIlroy called for more respect in golf, saying the Ryder Cup should unite fans, not divide them.
PGA
Have more comments, questions? Reach out to me at bwhite1@dispatch.com. Letters are lightly edited for clarity.
On the Ryder Cup
To the editor: Well, the PGA has opened up more free time for me. I will no longer watch PGA events after the scenes from the Ryder Cup. Crickets from the PGA on the treatment of the European team and their families. They may change my mind if they take away any planned tour events for the state of New York. This whole country needs to become more civil to each other. Never thought I would have to direct that sentence at a golf tournament.
Dave Waller, Grove City
To the editor: This proud event is being ruined by the obscene behavior that is being tolerated. Standards need to be set and strictly enforced. The sportsmanship of Tony Jacklin and the Golden Bear has been relegated to the dustbin of history, replaced by drunken, boorish fans whose sole aim is to act in the most disgusting way possible.
Doug Shoemaker, Westerville
To Dave, Doug: The crowds were rude and out of hand. But don’t let that pull you away from golf. Just attend any event except the Ryder Cup and the tour stop in Phoenix.
On football uniforms
To the editor: Does the NCAA have requirements for football pants? Seems like nearly half of the players cut their pants and have no knee pads. In fact, I saw an Oregon player with blood on both knees. I’m assuming they’re doing this to be faster or quicker, which I don’t believe (works). What’s next: Just wearing shorts?
Paul Racher
To Paul: Players wear them that way because they think it makes them faster and makes them look cool. But, yes, the NCAA has a rule that says “Knee pads must be covered by pants. Furthermore, the pants and knee pads must cover the knees.” The rule is rarely enforced, basically treated as a recommendation. When I coached high school football in Washington, we knew our opponent in a playoff game was flashy like that, so we waited until just before the first snap to notify officials of the many knees showing. They blew the whistle and made them sub out half their starting lineup. They still beat us, possibly because they had J.T. Tuimoloau and Gee Scott Jr. on their team.
To Brian: I’m unsure why Browns-turned-Packers fan Mike from Columbus would be happy after his “new” team blew a tire in the waning minutes of a 13-10 loss in Cleveland. The result was a collective egg-on-your-face embarrassment.
The meltdown: First, the interception of Green Bay QB Jordan Love by Grant Delpit. Then Quinshon Judkins’ score for the tie. After the Pack completed an 18-yd. pass play to the Cleveland 22 on its next drive, things backfired. The coach should have been fired for not attempting a field goal immediately. I understand the clock strategy. Penalties happen, but what ensued, a blocked FG attempt (43 yards), cost them the game. This is a professional team? Make it from the 38 and kick off. Worst case, OT.
Mike can keep his Packers. But imagine if the Browns had kept Baker Mayfield (29-30-0; Bucs: 22-16, 2-2 playoffs); Flacco: 5-5; Watson: 9-10.) Finally, the Browns are ending 25 years of bad luck, bad decisions and beating a 25-year dead horse. We hope. They’re giving the reins to Gabriel. Next up, Sanders? Trade Garrett for …?
Larry Cheek, Dublin
To Larry: I don’t see any bad luck ending soon for the Browns. I see a flawed roster and a history of bad decisions.
On Major League Baseball
To Brian: Trea Turner won the NL batting championship with a .304 average and was the only .300 hitter in the NL this year. With the six in the AL, MLB had only seven .300 hitters for a second year in a row. The year of the pitcher, 1968, had similar numbers, but things improved to have 55 in 1999 and 53 in 2000 and you could always expect dozens to hit at the level until this dramatic decline again in recent years.
Reggie Jackson struck out 171 times in 1968, and Sammy Sosa matched that number in 1999. Twenty players passed that number in 2025. But we sure love those home runs, I guess. I’d rather see the ball put in play more frequently, hit or not.
Dennis Singleton, Dayton
On Ohio State-Michigan football
To the editor: My grandson has come down with a serious case of Michigan Derangement Syndrome. He prefers Michigan football over Ohio State. He even has a block M on the wall of his bedroom and wears Michigan colors. I don’t know where I went wrong.
I am searching for a cure before the game with Michigan. I considered three ideas:
Immersion Therapy. A trip to the Horseshoe, where the roar of 100,000 screaming Buckeye fans may knock the maize right out of him. Re-education of his family legacy. His grandmother used to live down the street from Saint Woody, and he used to walk by her house. I ran the 40-yard dash against Archie Griffin in high school and I finished 2 hours behind him. His mother played Harp at the Shoe for an Andy Geiger function.Wardrobe Replacement. Quietly swapping every shirt he owns with scarlet and gray until he gets with the program.
If anyone in Buckeye Nation has a tried-and-true remedy for this disease, please share it. Rivalry week is quickly approaching and I’d like my grandson back on the right side of the border.
Michael N. Oser, Upper Arlington
More from the Mailbox
How about giving Ryan Day’s incentive money to needy Ohio State employees?
Not all are fans of Ohio State football’s new game-day ‘traditions’
Was Ohio State rude to marching bands at Grambling State game?
Praise rolls in for Ohio State football coach Ryan Day
Archie Griffin, Orlando Pace? No, here’s a vote for Troy Smith as top Ohio State player
Michigan’s punishment from NCAA is a joke
Cleveland Browns stadium funds could have been used for better things
Do Ohio State football stadium renovations cater only to the wealthy?
Are people too hard on Jimmy Haslam for wanting to move Cleveland Browns stadium?
Is today’s NBA difficult to watch?
