Page 5 of your messages to Willis McGahee
Jan. 8, 2003
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– Ernesto Garcia: Lexington, NC: I was raised in Miami and I am a huge fan of all the Miami teams (‘Canes, Dolphins, Heat, Panthers, Marlins) win or lose. I will not waver! I just want to let you know how proud I am of all you have accomplished for the University of Miami. You have more than just talent, you have character. I know you will make a full recovery. Trust in the Lord and he will bring you through it. I will keep you in my prayers.
Dan Cohen: Coral Gables FLGet better man, you’ll be on top again in no time. Eric Green C.
Eric Green: Spring Hill,FL: Willis,Being a Florida St. fan I wish you a speedy recovery with your rehab. I am sure you will come back and be as dominant a player as you were before your injury.Good luck and GO CANES!
Richard F. Roberts: Longview, Washington: Willis, hang in there and get well. I’m an old grad who had the opportunity to see you in the Fiesta Bowl last week. Your and inspiration for the whole team!!
Brad Franks: Tupelo, MS: Best Wishes on your recovery.BRAD
Kimberly Swilley: Tallahassee, Florida: Willis, Even though I’m a Seminole at heart, I can’t deny a great football player when I see one, and you are one of the best. I have enjoyed watching you run the ball this past season, and every Saturday, I was mezmerized by your outstanding performances. Your injury was very unfortunate, and I wanted to cry when I saw you go down during the Fiesta Bowl. I prayed for you, and my prayers for you will continue as you rehab. Keep your head up and I look foward to watching you on Sundays in the future.
God bless, Kimberly
Rob Eremic, Wilmerding, Pa: Dear Willis,I recently met you at the Fiesta Bowl. My wife took a picture of you and me. I just want to say thanks again. It’s unfortunate what happened, but they say everything happens for a reason. Don’t worry work hard you’ll be back. God Bless You.
susan p crofford: reading, pa: Best wishes for a “speedy” recovery!
Sorry for the delay to the pros but I am excited that you will be back with Miami next year…
great job this year..next year will be even better.
susan p crofford
Christopher Rivero: Lauderdale Lakes, Florida: What’s up Willis,Get better soon. You have a lot of talent and you should not let it go to waste. You are the best damn tailback in the NCAA. If anyone should have gotten the Heisman, it was you. I hope you have a dast recovery so you can play next season and bring the Canes another championship. Ohio State should not have won the Fiesta Bowl. Get better Willis.
Lots of LuckChris
James Guy F.: Fort. Lauderdale, Florida: Hey there Willis. Well first off I want to say that you are my Idol because I wish that I could follow in your footsteps and be as great as you are one day. I wish you the best of luck because you are the real Heisman Trophy winner in my heart and the best damn player in the whole NCAA. Get well soon because you need to win that Heisman Trophy next year.
With Lots Of Love,
James Guy (your #1 biggest fan)
Justin Dupuis,Metairie, Louisiana: Hey wassup Willis, Yeah I saw your injury and I was like i knew that wasnt good but I hope u get well and go to the nfl because you are the most exciting player ever in college.
Damaris Uglialoro: Winter Park, Florida: Dear Willis,I have loved the Miami Hurricanes since I moved to florida back in 1994. Wheather they win or lose, I’m behind you guys 1000%. I watched the fiesta bowl until the last minute and my heart broke in two when I saw what had happened to you. No words can explain my empathy for you. My thoughts and prayers to you. I hope that you have a speedy recovery and that you have another chance to play the game that you love so much soon.
Damaris Uglialoro
Ed & Tracie Kedzierski: Newport RI: Hey Willis,
Best of luck and get well soon. My wife and I are big canes fans and you are our favorite player. We attended the Syracuse and VT games this year and I was at the BC game last year. I’ve been a fan since 78 when I attended FAU. I also had ACL and MCL surgery from a Volleyball injured suffered on Dec. 5th 98. The same day the Canes beat UCLA and the Edge had over 200 yards. It was also 2 days after my 40th birthday and I have fully recovered. If an old man like me can do it – you will be fine. I know you will work hard. I am off now to play in the semi finals of our local volleyball league.
Thanks for the great season,
Eric Stover: Napoleon, Ohio: Willis,Even though I am an OSU fan, it was hard to see you laying on the field in that situation. I speak for all OSU fans when I say that we want you to come back and have another great year of college, and an awsome pro career. We were all sorry to see you get injuried, and I must apologize for everyone who was gald to see you get hurt.
Eric Stover
P.S. Hope everything goes great so that you have a great life and career.
DAZ CARTWRIGHT: LAND O LAKES, FL: Good luck to you Willis on a successful, and speedy recovery. If anyone can come back from this, I know it’s you.. Congrats once again on a truly great season, and I look forward to seeing you on the field next year, either with the Canes, or with an NFL team. I do hope that you come back to the Canes though!!!!
Best Wishes, and as always Go Canes… The Dynasty will be reborn next season.
Daz & Danica Cartwright
Jennifer Tharpe,: Merritt Island, FL: Willis,
It made me so sad when I saw you hurt. I couldn’t stop praying for you – you are in the thoughts and prayers of my entire family. Please know everything is going to be allright, just keep yourH-E-A-D U-P. You will be back and better than ever because you’re Willis McGahee and there is no better running back anywhere. Keep smiling and know we are ALL pulling for you!!! – J
Adela Bryant: Miami FL: Mr. McGahee,Read in the morning paper that have been released from the hospital, that’s great news.I think now it will be easier for me to catch up to you on campus so you can sign my 3 year old son 2001 Championship football. I hope you don’t mind.God speed in your recovery.Adela”That which will not break me will make me stronger”
Tony Menendez: Miami, FL: Willis: I just want to tell you what a big fan I am of yours and to encourage you to continue to have faith and to fight your way to a full recovery. You are an amazing young man, who has a tremendous future in LIFE, not just sports. You will succeed. I know it.
I hope you get better soon and will be following your progress.
All the best always,
Tony Menendez
Steve Blue: Fremont, OH: Willis
Wishing you the best through your recovery & rehab. As they say, this is a test. I trust you have the strength & commitment to make it back.
Stay strong & keep the faith!
A Fan in Ohio
Eric, Gutmann: Lake Worth, Florida: Willis,I hope you feel better soon. You have done wonders and should continue. The key is to keep a positive mental attitude and keep focused on what your objective is. You can do anything and should not give up. I look forward to seeing you drive forward again next year. Take your time and you will be back soon. You have had a hard road but like everything else, This Too Shall Pass.Eric.
renee barnett: parkland fl: Thanks for your great effort this year. you are a hero. we hope and pray that you will recover and be able to live your dream. some day we’ll see your name up in the o.b. right above our regular seats. good luck in your recovery and remember all the fans (canes or not) that are thinking of you.renee and stepohen barnettum class of 64 and 65season tieket holdersrose bowl and fiesta bowl attendeesGO CANES – GET WELL WILLIS!
Bill Cheslock: ST. Marys, Ohio: I send you my sincere hope that you will return from this injury with a stronger knee than you had before the injury. You are a pleasure to watch running the football and the day will come that you will be doing that again. Please by patient during your rehabilitaion so that there aren’t any setbacks. Keep the positive attitude!
Good luck and God speed!
Alexis Olivia Baker: Miami, Fl: I would just like to say get well Willis, and don’t be discouraged, what happened, only happened for a reason. And if you beleive in God, the bible says ” all things good and bad works out for the good for those who love the Lord”. A lot of people say that their great and they’ve never been through anything and this just goes to show that you can’t teach what you don’t know and you can’t lead where you won’t go……. but anyway like I said before good luck, but most of all honor God in everything that you do and he will honor you and everything that you do.
Tim Poore: Higdon, Alabama: Willis sorry to see this happen to a great person like u. Been praying for u an I know u will be fine for next season for us Hurricanes Fans to see u an the team take us back to the Championship Bowl. So keep your thoughts high an GET WELL SOON!!!!!!!! Your BIGGEST FAN FROM ALABAMA!!!!!!!!! GOD BLESS U……
Krista K. Scarbrough: Grover Hill: Im so sorry for your injury during the game. I hope that soon you’ll be well on the mend.
God Bless,Krista
john zielinski: sanford, florida: Thank you for giving us a terrific season. I was crushed and could feel the injury as it happened to you due to the fact that it has happened to me. Best wishes for a speedy recovery hope to see you on the field no matter where soon.
paul w koch: dearborn, MI: watching you and your team mates perform on saturdays is one of my greatest pleasures, and i know with your strong work ethic that you will be playing again soon. thanks again for providing me with wonderful memories.
be well, paul class ’73
Ed Sims: Westerville, Ohio: Willis,I wanted to thank you, as a football fan, for giving me so many enjoyable moments to watch this year. You are truly a gifted running back and I look forward to watching you again. There is not a doubt in my mind that you will fully recover and pick up where you left off. I have suffered from Thyroid Cancer since I was 20 years old. I am now 32. On 5 different occasions I have gone into the hospital for either surgery or treatments. People have told me how sorry they feel for me. My response to them is don’t feel sorry for me, feel sorry for the person who went into the cancer hospital and didn’t walk out. What I have gone thru the past 12 years I would not wish on my worst enemy, but it has made me a better person and one who takes nothing for granted. You WILL play football again, how well you do is up to you. God gave you wonderful abilities now he wants to see how much you want it. I know you do. I don’t know you but I know what I saw when you got taken off th!e field. Good luck on your recovery.
Sincerely,Ed Sims
Jeanny Friedburg: Longwood,Fl: To Willis McGahee, I am praying for your fast recovery from your injury. As a medical professional, I know that rehab will be tough BUT YOU CAN DO IT!!! I am sending my best wishes to you…By the way…GO CANES!!!!
bill davenport, : defiance,ohio: May God heal you and make you as good as new. You and He are awesome!!!!!!!!
N Walsh, Columbus, OH: Get well soon willis. It was heartbreaking watching a class player like you go down the way you did. Although I was happy with the outcome of the game (buckeyes fan) It was bittersweet knowing a player of your caliber and character was injured. You’re in my prayers.
william conrath: miami florida: u have come so far to get where u are with all kinds of adversity in your life. do not let this temporary setback derail you.i agree that u deserved a better ending that this one but in life most things occur for a reason. the reason for this has yet to be determined. hang in there buddy and be strong. do what u gotta do but dont push beyond capability. i am confident u will be back. get well good luck and god speed. fair winds and following seas
Carl Hunnell: Mansfield, Ohio: Mr. McGahee,
Our prayers in north central Ohio are with you during this difficult time of recovery from surgery and rehabilitation. You are a tremendously talented football player and I was very sorry to see your injury against Ohio State. I was rooting for the Buckeyes, but I hate to see anyone sustain an injury during the competition.
My prayer today is that God’s blessings be upon you and that His presence be felt in your life as you battle back from the injury. I hope to see you back on your feet and doing well. If it be His will, I look forward to watching you play football again on television.
God bless, sir.
Michael Sparks: Levelland, Texas: Congratulations on a great season, get well soon, and God bless you.
William C. White: Verona, WI: Mr. McGahee –
I hope that you recover well from your injury and are able to run again soon. As an Ohio State fan, it was very difficult on Friday night to be so happy for my team and yet so concerned for a player on the other team. My prayers are with you as you go through this trying time in your life. Get well soon (and challenge Maurice Clarett for the Heisman!).
Joe Burns: Charlotte, NC: Willis,
If anybody can prove that someone can comback and dominate the game again,it will be you. I’ve been talking about you the day I found out you signed with Miami. I wish you a fast speedy recovery and I hope I can see you in a Hurricane jersey one more time. There are alot of fans out there that are hoping to see you on Sundays as well!!! I definitely will be one of them.
Joe
The Driggs Family, Frankfort, OH: We are rabid OSU fans here, but we are praying for a speedy recovery for you and patience along the way. You are in the nightly prayers of my 10 year old daughter and 7 year old son each night.
These Buckeye fans are rooting for and counting on a great ‘Cane to return to better than 100%.
Get well, God bless you, and we are praying for you ! Janae & Levi Driggs
Tom Heath: Vero Beach, FL: What a fantastic person you are…never quit believing in your self…Get well soon and best wishes!!!
Timothy L Newby: Treasure Island, FL: Dear Willis,
Our prayers are with you. If you keep your head up and your mind right, your recovery will be a success and go by quickly.
Thank you for all your efforts this season. We are very proud of you and hope to see your No. 2 out on the field again soon.
Best regards,Tim
Beth Zillinger: Warren, Ohio: Willis,I know this may be devasting to your spirit but keep your head up. There are many people praying for your recovery. May you be blessed in the future.
From a buckeye fan
Kam: Lawrenceville, Ga: Willis,
I just wanted to let you know that you have been and will continue to be in our prayers for your speedy recovery…I am a native Miamian, although I went to Norland…I live in Ga. and have been a Hurricane fan since I could remember….Seeing you go down in Tempe felt like I was watching a family member go down…I was pissed we lost the game but my concern for your well being was much more than that…Please remember that EVERYTHING happens for a reason…God makes no mistakes and Iknow that at this time it is hard to figure out what that reason may be…None of us know…Maybe God wanted you to show the younger generations that staying in school is important and that the league will always be there…I don’t know but I do know that he didnt bless you with all this talent to leave you with it…SO look at the bright side…You still have a chance to finish your education, and go to the league…HEy maybe the league waasn’t quite ready for Shockey, Portis, McKinnie and you.!…THey would be besides themselves…Well good luck in your rehab and continued success…Remember you have some unfinished business with Ohio State…
Cody M Wagner: ColumbusGrove Ohio: get well willis i wish you the best
Brett Cunningham: Tallahassee, FL: What an incredible Fiesta Bowl and year for you and the Canes. Thank you for all the excitement and heart bonding action. Congratulations on all of your achievements this year and I look forward to seeing you in the future. My prayer is that you will continue to be successful in Life, whether it is football or something else.Psalms 84:11The Lord God is our sun and our strength: the Lord will give grace and glory: he will not keep back any good thing from those whose ways are upright.
Have a Blessed Day and Keep your head up.
In Him, Brett Cunningham
Jose Fernandez: Miami, FL: What’s Up Willis,
I read that the surgery went well and that you should be completely healed after rehab. I want you to know that you got all of CANE-NATION behind you cheering you on. I just finished reading that you took out a $2.5 million dollar policy (Great Move), so even if you choose not to pursue a career in sports you still doing pretty well. Just remember Willis, you got a family with not only your coaches and teammates, but also all the true cane fans. Your in my prayers and I hope to see you on the field soon.
Sincerely,Jose I. Fernandez
Joe Maszkiewicz Shane: Pittsburgh, Pa: I was watching the game. Does it hurt more than what it looked like. Anyways u should have won.
Joe Maszkiewicz From Pittsburgh Pennsylvania
Carlos Castaneda: Miami, FL: Willis as a life long hurricane fan i want to send you my best wishes and i hope you have a speedy and very succesful rehab. You are without a doubt one of if not the best back in the nation,You are a hard working guy and if anybody can come back from this its you. You just wait and see before you know it you’ll be back on the field leading the hurricanes to another national title. Keep you head up and hope to see you back on the field soon.
Wishing You the best Carlos Castaneda
John J Evans: Mtn Brook Al: Please accept the heartfelt wishes for a full recovery from your injury from an ardent Auburn fan. I sincerely hope that your injury will leave you with a lasting reminder of how quickly it can all vanish and that you will be inspired to get a MEANINGFUL degree from the university. I have had two surgeries with the Healthsouth system and can assure you that they are the best! rehab hard and study harder! I never thought I’d be saying this but… Go ‘canes!
