Tired of you, Hugo
You complain about us.
My cat has 17 years here. My dog, 10. Stop your preaching. It’s old and boring.
David Hirt
Waikoloa Village
Unger belongs In Canton
I was pleased with West Hawaii Today’s recently published sports article about Max Unger, a Hawaii Prep Academy graduate who went on to play football for the University of Oregon, then for the NFL’s Seattle Seahawks, now with the New Orleans Saints.
I met Max years ago on the baseball field when I was a high-school umpire. Quite frankly, Max was not the greatest baseball player (nor was I the greatest umpire, I suppose), but Max was a big target as the first baseman, catching anything thrown his direction by teammates.
As a footballer, Max has always been the heart of the offensive line: in high school, on the Oregon Duck’s winning squad, and on Seattle’s Super Bowl championship team.
Rarely is TV coverage focused on the offensive center. Announcers prefer talking about skill position players (backs and receivers), as if Max’s efforts don’t require skill.
When watching the Saints, I watch Max. He snaps the ball crisply every time, provides key blocks for running backs, and protects quarterbacks well. I am confident that Seattle’s Russell Wilson misses Max and that Drew Brees appreciates having Max in the game. New Orleans (now 10-1) definitely outmaneuvered Seattle (now 6-5) on that trade.
During the third quarter of one of last season’s playoff games, an announcer finally remarked that Max Unger was “totally dominating” the line of scrimmage. In that game, Max’s contribution was so significant that it could no longer be ignored by anyone.
I firmly believe that it is not too early for the football world to take notice of Max Unger as hall of fame material, destined to be enshrined in Canton, Ohio. My prediction is that Max Unger will go down in NFL history as the greatest athlete ever to play the position of offensive center.
James Donovan
Waikoloa