Page 3 of your messages to Willis McGahee

Jan. 7, 2003

Coral Gables, Fla. – www.hurricanesports.com – Kim Oliver: Montgomery Alabama: I know Miami would had won had you been in the game and I know you gave it your all. But what’s important is that you get rest and get well. Don’t worry about football. Thanks for everything this year. I don’t know you but have followed you all this year and know you have given your all. Thank so much BBA 1978

Timothy Bodkin: St. Petersburg, FL: Dear Mr. McGahee,Ijust wanted to send you a get well message and wish you the best of luck on your recovery. I would also like to thank you and the team for a great season. I can honestly say that it was a pleasure to watch run this season. I hope you make a quick recovery and come back to reclaim your rightful Heisman Trophy as well as the teams rightfull National Championship. Once again get well soon and thank you.

Timothy BodkinSt. Petersburg, FL

John Carlton Wheeler: Columbus, Ohio: Willis, I would like to start off by telling you are one heck of a Football Player.As a Buckeye fan I never want to see anyone get hurt,You and the rest of your team played one great game if ever there should have been a tie for a National Championship it should have been this year. My hats off to you and the rest of your team and can’t wait to see you on the field again.GET WELL SOON!!!!

Oscar Del Bosque: Georgetown, Texas: First of all Willis I am glad to hear that you are going to be fine. When I saw you go down I felt sick in my heart. Keep your head up Willis and I know that U of M and Willis McGahee (the true champs) will be back on top in no time! Go Canes!

James Perry Gray: Birmingham, Alabama: First & far most GOD is with you & our prays are too. I am the BIGGEST MIAMI ‘CAINES fan in the state of Alabama. You are by far the most talented running back I’ve seen in awaile, I pray that rehab is speedy & successful.It sucks to know that we did not loose the title but was raped of it…….I truly hope that coach will take the attitute that its us against the world. Back to the 80’s attitude. GOD bless you & GO CAINES!!!!!!!!!!!

mike, nicora : hubbard, ohio: Willis, best of luck, following your surgery and rehab.I know you’ll be successful again at Miami and ultimately in the pro’s.While I’m a die hard Buckeyes fan, I never want to see an opposing teams players injured. While we won, both teams should be proud of the tremendous effort and heart displayed. Also, while most buckeye fans won’t take the time to write, everyone I’ve talked to feel the same way I do, and wish you the best.Lastly, your also to be commended for handling yourself with class, in your comments leading up to the game.Best wishes, and you’ll be in our prayers.

Scott D. Askew: USAF Academy: Good luck McGahee. You’re strong and let God be with you. I’m a Sooner fan, but I saw you play your heart out and I knew you hated to leave that field. Don’t worry about that now. You did all you could. Great job this year and best wishes to a speedy and full recovery to play Oklahoma in the 2004 National Championship!!!

Luis Lowe E.: Douglasville, Ga.: I just wanted to say thank you for all of your hard work and exciting play this season. You are a truly amazing running back, and you will be back on the field tearing it up like you did this year to break all of your own records. Once again, thank you and get better soon. We (the team and fans ) need you for the next couple of national championship runs in the next couple of years.Get better soon, good luck and see you on the field soon.Luis Lowe

Brian C Gower: N, Canton,Ohio: As an Ohio state fan,I just want you know alot of people are pulling for you to come back like you were. You are a tremendous talent and it was ashame that this had happened. I think your unfortunate injury will pave the way for our star up here Lebron James to certainly enter the NBA draft.Well good luck with your rehab and I wish you luck in the NFL.

Chris Carthew: Ft. Thomas, KY: Willis,

One hell of a season. I know it’s hard to go out that way. Living in Ohio means living with all the LUCKeye fans talking to me. Doesn’t matter. Going to multiple Canes Championship games, I just ask them how many they’ve had in the last 20 years. I know you’ll be back, and I’m praying you’ll stay every possible year you can. And when you’re back, it’s time for some more HURRICANES football. GO CANES!!!

Russell Lemoine : Baton Rouge, LA: Willis

Hope you get better, things happen for a reason. You will be back and better than ever. Keep a positive attitude and talk to God. You are a great example for all of us, both young and old.

Get WellRussell

Professor Margaret Crosbie-Burnett: U.M. Coral Gables, FL: Willis,

It was also painful for all of us to see you get hurt in the game. Our hearts go out to you. We wish you a full and fast recovery. We are proud of your performance and hope you will stay at U.M. for graduate school if you do not go pro.Best wishes,

Dr. C-B. and the Department Faculty

Christopher Wood: Columbus, Oh: Willis,

I am up here in Columbus Oh on business and will be back in Florida in two months. I can’t wait to get back! You are an unbelievable talent and I know you are going to be back. Don’t rush it. You worked too hard to not have a final say. Your day WILL come. Thank you so much for being and staying a Miami Hurricane. I cannot wait for the day you step back on the field and do your thing. May God bless you and your family the way God blessed us in being able to watch you and your talent. I love the Canes! Go Canes! WE WILL BE BACK!

Tyler Braswell: Bristol, VA: Hey Willis, I hope you get well soon, we gonna need you next year. It blows what happend to you in the fiesta bowl, if we woulda had you on the goalline we woulda scored. Look foward to seeing you and the rest of the canes take the sugar bowl next year!

TERRY SMETZER: COLUMBUS, OHIO: Willis,

You have had an outstanding year at Miami. I have had an operation on the right knee in high school and wore a splint on the left knee (Flag Football at age 45). At age 47, they both still work pretty well today. Give ourself some time to rest from the season and then get back up and get to work. I am sure that the nurses will not let you lay on your back side very long.

All college fans will be pulling for you and your return. It could not make me more happy to see number 5 back on the field in 2003.

Good Luck and keep your head up.

Terry SmetzerOhio State Fan and Graduate

Sean Shevlin: Sanford, FL: I just want to say Thank You. Its been really great watching you run for touchdowns. You are a real inspiration to me. GET WELL SOON. I hope your time at UM will open many doors for you’re future career. Hope to see you getting more touchdowns. I cant wait to see you in an NFL uniform. Your going to have a great career. Best wishes to you and yours. GO CANES!!!! Sean Shevlin

T.J. CARTER: PROVO , UTAH: Hey WillisI really admire the way you play the game.I thought that you had a really great season. I was very upset when I saw you get hurt. I can’t wait for you to make a full recovery and win a national championship. I feel that miami should have won that game, that last call was one of the worse I have ever seen.Get well soon.

David Laughlin: Weirton, WV: Good luck with your recovery. You had a great season and I’m sure you’ll have a great one next year. You guys were screwed over in Championship game. You should have won it in the first overtime. Get well soon. Canes are #1 Tee Carter

Drew Saad: Los Angeles, CA: To tell you the truth…I’m not a Hurricanes fan. But I do appreciate good football players, and that you certainly are. I watched the Fiesta Bowl and saw your devastating injury and I just wish you the best in the future. I think you’re an excellent athlete and a stunning example that everyone should look toward. I truly wish you the best and I hope everything you do in life is as successful as your sophomore year for UM was.

Jason, Owens: Orlando, FL: Willis just wanted to say keep your head up and work hard. The sky is the limit for you. Best of luck next year whether it be as a Cane or in the NFL. I will watch and support you through out your carrer. Once a Cane always a Cane. Best of luck , Jason Owens (Hurricane season ticket holder Orlando, FL)

Aileen Chang: Boston, MA: Hi Willis,I was watching the game while home in florida this break and saw your injury. I am very sorry that you have to endure this setback in your promising career.Being an athletic trainer I know that you have a long road to recovery ahead of you, but from what i have read about your work ethic I am sure you will be successful in this journey.

I believe that people undergo obstacles, whether physical or emotional, in order to realize the true strength of self that resides within and to truly appreciate all the gifts that God has bestowed upon him.

You are in my thoughts and I wish you much success in your following rehab and in the remainder of your football career.-Aileen Chang

Dave Gray: Simpsonville,SC: Willis,I trust the Lord will bring you back to full health.Weeping may endure for a night but joy cometh in the morning(Psalm 30:5)May God give you His strength during this time.Thank you for a great season.Dave

Don Falls: Pinellas Park,FL: Hey Willis, I’ve been talking you up to all my friends since I read up on you 2 years ago. Sorry to see what happened to you. You are a great runner and I have no doubt you should bounce back. I hate to say this because of the situation, but I am glad you will be with the hurricanes another year. Hopefully 2 more years. Anyway get well soon we need ya next season, lookin forward to it.

Sharon Glaser: Parma, Ohio: Willis,My thoughts and prayers are with you. After seeing what you can do on the football field, I know that once you put your heart and soul into anything, you will be a success. You have what it takes. Don’t get down, just try and keep the faith. I feel so bad that this happened to you and the team. I’m so proud of all of you. You are special Willis and so is the whole team. You get well because we have a job to do next year. I’ll be praying for your recovery.

Rafael Pereda: Hollywood, Fl: Dear Willis,

I’d give up all those championship rings just to see you 100%. Our prayers and thoughts will be with you throught out your recuparation and therapy. You are a “CHAMPION” and “CHAMPIONS” come back.

All the best,

Rafael

Dave Mathews: Bradenton, FL: Hey Willis,

I just wanted to say thank you for the outstanding season you put in. I know you have worked very hard to get where you are. I was really saddened to see you get injured during the game but I know you will recover quickly and completely. You are in my thoughts and prayers. See you on the field!

Best wishes,Dave MathewsUM Alum class of 1997

J.R. Steinbauer: Miami: Willis,

You are the most talented runner and still the best at your position. We know you will continue to be the best with your dedication it’ll all work out.

Keep the faith and it’ll get you there even stronger.

Sharon Glaser: Parma, Ohio: Willis,I’ve been a Canes fan since the’80s. You are a very special player and a special young man. After seeing what you can do on the football field, I know you are capable of anything you put your mind to. You put your heart and soul into everything. Don’t get down, just keep doing what you do best and you’ll be back stronger and better than ever. Keep the faith and know my thoughts and prayers are with you.I’m proud of you and all the Canes.

Lee MacWilliams: Macon, Ga.: If there is anything you need, you only have to ask any alumnus, myself included.Our thoughts are with you. Take care and don’t worry. The future will take care of itself. It’s only the present that matters.

David Shirley: Haughton, Louisiana: Willis, man im prayin for you and for you to make a healthy and speedy recovery and i hope you are ready to go against la tech in september cause ima be there and its my first miami game. welp GET WELL BUDD!!!

Melissa Garcia: Miami, FL: Willis-Friday’s game was the first football game i’ve ever seen, and it was immediately obvious to me that you have lots of talent. I know times are rough right now, but things will get better! Talent like yours always pulls through! Everyone all across the US(Miami isnt the only place with UM fans!) has faith in you & many people are sending their prayers out to you. Just have faith and strength and you will recover quick! I know God is with you and you will get better! I dont want to take up too much of your time..I know you’ve got a busy life! I just wanted to send to you my blessings & prayers! I cant wait to see you up & about playing again! *Good Luck** God Bless.

Pete Terranova: Hilliard, Ohio: Willis:

This note is from a HUGE Canes fan who lives in Columbus Ohio. First of all I want to thank you and the rest of your team for a wonderful football season. I have followed the canes for over 20+ years and the last few years have absolutely been the best. I was disappointed with the loss in the Fiesta bowl but more than that I was concerned about your injury. Please use the toughness and intense work ethic you possess both mentally and physically to get yourself back on your feet, both on and off the football field.

Pete

Chet A. Smith: Raleigh, NC: Mr. McGahee:I’m a 30 year old die-hard Cane fan (for as long as I can remember). It broke my heart (and seemingly that of the team as well) to see you on your back in Tempe. I know that you would have been the man to pull out the big game winning play . . . but your injury proved the insignifigance of that game. Your injury hurts your true fans more than the loss of any game. We, as fans, have marvelled at your unbelievable abilities and achievements and have learned to expect the incredible from you. You have overcome so much in your life and obviously this is just one more hurdle for you to clear. I know that you have the heart and focus to work your way back and to surpass your previous abilities. Stay focused…you are an amazing athlete and person…there will be better days. You deserve them. Stay strong!

Brian Wilson: Cumming, GA: Willis,Best wishes in your rehab. I will be pulling for you and praying that this makes you even stronger when you take Miami back to the title. I do not know your beliefs but if you read Romans 8:28 you might find comfort there.Brian

Eric Vessels: Delaware, Ohio: Willis,

It was very hard to root for the Buckeyes after seeing your injury Friday night. I hope you know there are a lot of us OSU fans who wish you well and hope for a speedy recovery and a successful completion of your college and/or pro football career.

You are an amazing runner and we look forward to seeing you back on the field again!

A concerned Ohio State fan,

Eric Vessels

John Young: Galloway Ohio: Willis you are a great player and will one day play again! I’m sorry that you had to go out this way but you have no reason to hold your head down. I am from Columbus, Ohio and am a Buckeye fan but we don’t like to see this happen to anyone. Good luck to you and your fast recovery, and I hope to see you again on the battle field.

Trey Allen Singleton: Pickens, SC: Hi, My name is Trey Singleton I am 15 years old. I’m not very familiar with Miami athletics but I started following Miami this year. I am originally a Clemson University fan but I pulled for the Hurricanes this year and will continue to. I just wanted to say get well soon. I know this probably wont mean much but if you read this I just want you to know that people are thinking about you. Hope to see you back out there next year and many years to come as a Hurricane and in the NFL. Good Luck on you recovery.

Sincerely, Trey Allen Singleton

Mike P. Soumas: Old Tappan, New Jersey: Dear Willis,

I am 12 years old from Old Tappan, New Jersey. You had a great season this year. I watched you all season long because Miami is my favorite team and I thought you did a great job. You should have won the heisman. I watched you in the Fiesta Bowl and you did great. I hope your leg gets better to come back for next season and the season after. For your sake I hope you get better for your future in football. I hope you win the heisman when you get better. Get well soon.

Sincerely,Mike Soumas