Re: Rita J. Murphy’s Sept. 26 letter, “What does football teach?�
High school athletics is not the same as youth sports. Most youth sports leagues guarantee playing time for all participants. That is not the case in high school. Winning is the clearly defined objective, and at this level, that is not an evil concept. In fact, it is a real-world concept that has been taught through sports for years.
The players who, in the opinion of the coach, are the best are the ones who play. If you ever want an honest appraisal of who belongs on the field, ask the players. The lessons that are learned are about making the group better, working hard toward a common goal and, when given an opportunity, making the best of it.
Since Ms. Murphy dismisses several of the possible answers as to why some boys weren’t playing as nonsense and cites an example of whimsical last-minute substitutions as fact, I will draw the conclusion that she has no real experience with competitive athletics.
Winning is rewarded, mediocrity is not.
— D.R. Swenson, Moorpark
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