[Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.]

I have refrained from making comments about the Pacers-Pistons incident of a few weeks ago, but I think that it is time for me to say something.

Nobody was correct in the "riot" that occured at the end of the game: Not the players and not the fans.'

I know that many of you have heard me state that officiating is a profession masquerading as a avocation and that statement is still correct. BUT, sports in all of its shapes and forms is NOT important in the scheme of things on this small Class M planet whose society is ranked as a Category 0 (Zero).

We play sports because games are a fun pastime. Please do not tell me that whatever supposed contributions to society made by sports can even compare to the contributions made to society by police officers, teachers, college professors, doctors, dentists, and nurses to name.

We have become a society where good manners and respect for our fellow humans has become non-existent. I too have favorite sports teams: Liberty Leopards (my H.S. alma mater in Youngstown, Ohio), Youngstown State Unviersity (my college alma mater) and The Ohio State University are a few of my favorite teams, BUT I did not riot in the streets each of the four times that YSU won the NCAA Div. I-AA football championship, nor did I go berserk if an official failed to call what I thought was pass interference committed against by beloved YSU Penquins.

I recall the story that Bill Russell has told when a father wanted his son to grow up like him. Bill asked him: What is wrong with his son growing up like his father?

We can't have a civilized politcal campaign where the issues that will affect our country's future are discussed. Instead, we have political operatives that use 30 second sound bites to put out mis-information about political opponenets that have nothing to do with the issues.

What happened in Detroit that night is just another example of both fans and athletes (including coaches) have no self control.

I am sorry if I am rambling here, but my better half and I work hard to teach our sons about life and how to live their lives and then we have athletes and fans act like real idiots on national television no less.

MTD, Sr.