Brad Kearns

I was amused at Brad Kearns' suggestion (Viewpoint, Nov. 16) that UCLA'S kicker, John Lee, should win the Heisman award. I had the impression that football players won the award. MARVON LANGER Visalia

I think the Los Angeles sportswriters are failing to do their job of promoting the local Heisman Trophy candidate this year. John Lee of UCLA has to loom as a favorite in light of his perfect season. Who else in college football can say that? I would like to see the numerous local writers exert some of their media power to help make Mr. Lee the first kicker to win the award. BRAD KEARNS Woodland Hills

Why is it every time I read about UCLA basketball I have to be reminded that they don't compare to the awesome teams of long ago? Lots of things change in sports. Why must the current team and fans be subjected to silly references and comparisons to past years? It is time for all to let go of the past, smug in the knowledge that the UCLA program is still the best in history and the banners a reminder in Pauley Pavilion. They may even have a losing season this year. So what!

Janet Greenleaf of Laguna Hills won the women's professional division of the Pepsi/San Diego International Triathlon Sunday with a time of 1 hour 53 minutes 5 seconds. She was followed by Molly Bettinger of Dayton, Ohio, who finished in 1:55:01, and Joy Hansen of Philadelphia (1:57:55). Brad Kearns of Woodland Hills won the men's professional race in 1:38:48, four seconds faster than Scott Tinley of San Diego.

The Raiders weren't the losers Sunday, the fans were. The stupid, no-class fans who booed Marc Wilson, who played a great game, and the rest of the team. This was a team coming off a five-game winning streak that outplayed the best team in the NFL at less than full strength. But no, these lousy fans couldn't accept the fact that sometimes the other team gets the breaks. Next time, go to the beach and boo the weather. BRAD KEARNS Woodland Hills

Congratulations to Scott Ostler and Mike Downey for bringing attention to the disgusting behavior and attitude of Bruce Kimball, his father and even his fellow competitors, regarding the traffic incident in which two died and six were injured. Downey's column demeaned the divers who chose to ignore or not comment on the incident because they were concentrating on their own diving. Most other reporters would let these "no comments" pass as justified. But Kimball's peers and Kimball's father should have been the first to influence him not to compete or scorn him if he did. BRAD KEARNS Malibu

The ineptness of Ram management never fails to amaze me. It seems their goal is to cause distress to the fans and the team with their woefully illogical policies toward the signing of players. Henry Ellard is the most recent member of the grossly underpaid/extremely-valuable-to-the-team holdout club. The TV networks pay the NFL plenty to ensure that the teams' goals are to win, not to pinch pennies. They signed Bert Jones and Dan Pastorini for more dollars. They should swallow their pride and sign Henry Ellard.

Oh boy, isn't George Raveling great for not being sympathetic and respectful to the three USC freshmen basketball players? No sir, he wasn't going to back down and personally meet with these rightfully confused and apprehensive young men to discuss a significant change in their lives. He sure did act like a mature adult in sending out the "ultimatum" letters right before final exams. Look at what he accomplished: He dispersed one of the best recruiting classes in the nation, and in USC's history, in the time it takes to write a letter.