Classy TCU fans; sportsmanship; Cruz absence; botched premiere; tattered flags; Ethan Couch

Classy TCU fans

As an Oregon alumnus and lifelong Ducks fan, I feel the need to express not only congratulations but also gratitude to the TCU football fans who attended the Alamo Bowl in San Antonio on Jan. 2.

Aside from dealing with the Ducks’ epic collapse, my experience was wonderful because of the TCU fans’ class and kindness.

They were all gracious in victory and treated my friend and me with kindness beyond belief in today’s all-too-often trash-talking society.

I’ve always enjoyed watching TCU and I speak for many Ducks fans who felt TCU was disgracefully snubbed in last year’s playoff series.

It was clear then that Coach Gary Patterson is a class act and it is clear that has spread throughout the program.

Sportsmanship

Don Ponder’s Sunday letter on sportsmanship was timely after the Cincinnati Bengals lost an NFL playoff game to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Saturday because of players’ stupid actions.

Fans cheered about a player from the opposing team being injured, and this was not a small minority.

What does it say for sports when we need to regulate celebrations because they are offensive or disrespectful?

Sports is not about sportsmanship anymore. “My team” winning is the most important thing in many people’s lives.

Witness people praying, crying at games.

And grown people dress like clowns or wave signs so they might attract attention and seconds of fame.

The change in the behavior of many athletes and fans is a sad commentary on our society.

Cruz absence

I’m very disappointed with Sen. Ted Cruz for not attending the State of the Union address Tuesday evening.

His day job is to be senator from Texas, paid to attend congressional meetings and hearings, vote in the Senate and work for his constituents.

Yes, he may campaign, but missing the State of the Union address is shameful.

The Senate is a paid job, not volunteer work.

Botched premiere

I attended the premiere of 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi at AT&T Stadium Tuesday night.

Unfortunately, I’ll have to buy a ticket at a theater if I want to know anything about it.

Stadium management did a very poor job.

First, the only concession stand was on the lower level and had a half-hour wait, and then it closed.

Then, it was impossible to hear the movie dialogue in the upper sections.

Many left within five minutes. We left after a half-hour.

Why was the stadium so ill-prepared for this important event?

Tattered flags

I’ve noticed that some towns and places in Texas hold the American flag high with pride, but the flag is torn and worn due to harsh weather conditions, making the flag look not as great as it once was.

I find this as disappointing as a Boy Scout and wonder why people don’t retire the flags properly.

In the Boy Scouts, the proper way to retire a worn American flag is by burning it in a respectful manner.

Ethan Couch

The media and Tarrant County Sheriff Dee Anderson have fueled the Ethan Couch saga.

The media consider it great fodder and Anderson is up for re-election.

This story was originally published January 13, 2016 at 5:40 PM with the headline "Classy TCU fans; sportsmanship; Cruz absence; botched premiere; tattered flags; Ethan Couch."