High & Inside: Love and hate

SPORTS CAN BRING out the best and worst in people.

Just ask Kyle Brotzman.

The Boise State senior kicker missed a game-winning field goal with 2 seconds left in regulation, and then missed another in overtime in the Broncos' 34-31 loss to Nevada Friday night.

It was Boise's first loss of the season and dropped the Broncos from fourth to 11th in the BCS standings.

Not long after the game, fans began to barrage Brotzman with angry messages and taunts.

One woman in Boise's Ada County called the police after receiving upsetting phone messages meant for Brotzman. Apparently, the callers thought she was related to him.

There were also barbs left on Facebook pages.

That was the worst.

As for the best?

Well, on other Facebook pages, messages such as "We Still Love Kyle Brotzman" were posted. According to an Associated Press report, more than 21,600 people had clicked on the "Like" button on those pages as of yesterday afternoon.

As expected, Boise coach Chris Petersen doesn't blame Brotzman for the loss.

"Including myself, there were a lot of other chances to win the game," Petersen told the AP yesterday. "That was just one of them. That's one that 99 out of 100 times he's going to make."

Usually, the Southeastern Pennsylvania Soccer Hall of Fame is involved in . . . well . . . soccer.

But lately the organization has been getting its kicks collecting coats for its "Coats for Chester" campaign.

The city of Chester was selected because it is home to the Philadelphia Union. The team and SEPA have already collected more than 300 coats during the Union's home games in October.

From now until Dec. 31, SEPA, along with volunteers from other soccer groups, will accept coats - new or used - for infants, children and adults. Check its website, www.sepasoccerhall.com, for drop off locations.

- Tom Mahon

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