Mike Tomlin hired because he was black? The notion insults the Rooney family and its history

Ron Cook's column ("Were Others 'Ruled' Out By Rooney?" Jan. 23) is nothing short of an affront to your readers, the Rooney family and Mike Tomlin.

Cook's suggestion that he, Dan Rooney, hired an African-American coach to enhance his NFL legacy is laughable Moreover, his assertion that Tomlin was chosen over more qualified candidates, at least in part because he is black, is outrageous.

There is a distinction between interviewing a minority candidate in accordance with the Rooney Rule and hiring a minority coach. While race plays a role in obtaining the first interview, the subsequent interviews and hiring are a function of a candidate's merit. Cook completely ignores this distinction. The result is a thoughtless article replete with racial undertones.

MICHAEL DeFRANK
Raleigh, N.C.

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Rooney doesn't deserve this

I was disappointed to read Ron Cook's column ("Were Others 'Ruled' Out By Rooney?" Jan. 23). All his column does is give a media voice to the bigots in the Steelers' fan base whose measure of a man is shaped first and foremost by skin color. What's more, such a column unfairly impugns the character of one of the most-respected men in Pittsburgh and in all of professional sports.

RON SELIGA
Bradenville

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Cook should be ashamed

I think Ron Cook's column on Mike Tomlin's hiring is a disgrace ("Were Others 'Ruled' Out By Rooney?" Jan. 23). After he shamefully postulated that the only reason Tomlin got the Steelers' job was that he was black, Cook fallaciously attempted to justify his thinly veiled racist remarks by saying that the media's celebration of the appearance of two black head coaches in this year's Super Bowl is proof that race is still a factor in sports. His argument is deeply flawed. Acknowledging a milestone proves nothing. On the other hand, blatantly ignoring what the Rooneys have proven conclusively over time -- that they hire people whom they believe will serve their organization best -- is proof that race is still a factor in Ron Cook's mind.

JASON MARCHECK
West View

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Rooneys are better than that

As a life-long Steelers fan, I was extremely disappointed in Ron Cook's column ("Were Others 'Ruled' Out By Rooney?" Jan. 23). To suggest that Dan Rooney cares more about his reputation than he does about the Steelers is patently absurd.

There are no owners in the NFL more committed to the team and the city it represents than the Rooneys, and there are no owners with a better track record in picking head coaches. The notion that the Rooneys would hire their second choice because of race does a grave disservice to Mike Tomlin and to Dan Rooney as well.

KARL K. KINDIG
Abbington, Va.

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A Tomlin teammate

I had the honor of being a teammate of Mike Tomlin at the College of William & Mary. I was a senior when Mike was a freshman. It became evident within a few weeks after meeting him during two-a-day practices that he was not only a talented football player, but that he was also extremely bright, outgoing and mature beyond his age.

Mike was someone that you remembered. At William & Mary, Mike acquired a world-class education and was exposed to the best and brightest teachers and students. In the NFL he was mentored by great head coaches such as Tony Dungy and Jon Gruden.

As a fellow African-American, I have so much respect for the Rooney family and the Steelers' organization for hiring Mike Tomlin.

MICHAEL D. BELMEAR
Venetia

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Go ... and he'll drive

Mario Lemieux made his money in Pittsburgh. If he is that excited to get out of here, let him go. I am tired of hearing how he isn't getting a fair deal. I appreciate what he did in the past to save the Penguins, but enough is enough. If he can't see what the Penguins mean to the fans of Pittsburgh, then all I can say is good luck in Kansas City or Houston. I'm a truck driver and, if he needs someone to drive him out, just have him contact me, and we'll see if we can make a deal.

BOB STOVER
Castle Shannon

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Pirates a bad bet

Fathers Day 2004. That is the last time I went to a Pirates game. A gift to my dad. I am sick of reading Pirates fans' complaints about the Nuttings' [lack of] commitment to winning. It is obvious management does not care. So quit lining their pockets. You are all suckers. How you can justify going down there and giving that ownership one cent is beyond comprehension.

The only way they are going to sell the team is when there is no longer a profit. Protest your disgust by not going to the games.

If you want to give away your money, buy a lottery ticket. You will have a better chance of winning than the Pirates.

JEFF BRUGGEMAN
Cranberry

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An arena in hand is worth ...

We have a centrally located, 17,000 seat building [in Mellon Arena] with decent sight lines, room for at least six more luxury boxes, a private club, private refreshment areas for the best seats and sufficient refreshment stands. I could go on. And it is almost paid for. Other than the fact that the Penguins have themselves in a snit over the Steelers and Pirates having new homes, what exactly is wrong with the existing building? It's old? So what. Did I mention it is almost paid for?

ROBERT J. MILLER, JR.
Brookline

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Penguins need a Semenko

I have been sickened at the lack of intestinal fortitude on the Penguins in protecting their franchise player, Sidney Crosby.

He is consistently the target of cheap shots, has received little respect from his opponents and not one teammate is backing him up. When he was drafted, he was often referred to as The Next One in reference to the retired Wayne Gretzky having been labeled The Great One. No one dared disrespect Gretzky because of someone name Dave Semenko, who saw to it that Gretzky received all the respect he deserved.

Doesn't our franchise player deserve the same? Maybe The Next One deserves the next Semenko, since it is painfully obvious that no one on his team seems to care enough or is capable enough to stand up for him.

DAVE LEBEC
Brighton Heights

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For the kid's sake

There is a much larger issue that will be affected by the Penguins leaving Pittsburgh -- youth hockey. The interest for hockey in this area has grown considerably since the early 1990s and the Era of Lemieux. Three players have made it to the NHL, and one of them plays for the Penguins. I believe that if the Penguins leave, so will youth hockey organizations. They will slowly die as interest for hockey fades.

I grew up watching Lemieux and he influenced me to love hockey and to try and play hockey. This also got me to convince my cousin to play. He now starts for his varsity hockey team.

I would love nothing more than for another kid to get influenced by Sidney Crosby or Evgeni Malkin and become another great in the NHL. The only way this can happen is for the Penguins to stay.

RYAN GURRENTZ
Murrysville