Page 12 of your emails to Willis
Feb. 24, 2003
Hurricane Headquarters
Coral Gables, Fla. (www.hurricanesports.com) — – From Lynn R. Jacobs: Coshocton, Ohio: Best wishes Willis, I hope your recovery go’s well! I hope to see you in the NFL soon. My prayers are with you for a speedy recovery.
Kenneth Dille D.: Amanda, OH: Mr. Mcgahee, I was 27 when I tore my ACL completely, and partially severed my MCL, I damaged cartilage, and bruised the tips of the tibia and femur. I was playing in an alumni basketball game and my knee bent backward like yours. I am now 33, and I can play every sport I did before the injury. Chris Kaeding OSU’s chief orthopedic consultant did the work for me. He is the one holding the newspaper after the game announcing the Buckeye’s Cahmpionship win. Anyway, you are a much better athlete than me, and blessed with a world class ability in athletics. I have no doubt that I will see you on the football field again scoring touchdowns and befuddling defenses. Pay attention to your physical therapist, because I enjoy a normal active life, and you can too. God Bless.
Travis R. Rettig: Forest,OH: I’m sorry that you hurt your knee because it got hit too hard. Next time u play Allen I’ll tell him not to hit you too hard. I’m also sorry that the BUKCKEYES won.NOT, and if i were a coach in the NFL I wouldn’t draft you because YOU SUCK!!
P.S. How many yards did you have against the Buckeyes?
Scott Pennington: Venice, CA: Dear Willis:
As a huge college football fan (USC grad), I just wanted to add to the good wishes for your speedy and full recovery.
Anyone who watched Miami play in 2002 knows what a special talent you are and I know that with the same kind of off-season effort you put in to win the starting job, you’ll soon be back on the field for the Hurricanes and for a lucky NFL franchise after that.
Whenever you begin to get discouraged during your rehabilitation, just remember the millions of people you have pulling for you all around the country. We want to see you back, Willis, and believe you can return and be better than ever.
Good luck and best wishes,
Scott Pennington
Scott Halliday, B: Columbus, Ohio: Dear Willis:
Just a quick note to let you know my thoughts and prayers are with you. I must confess, I cannot watch the replay of your injury and though I was born & raised in Columbus I have great respect for your performance on and off the field.
My best wishes for a speedy recovery and return to the field. We look forward to watching you play for years to come.
Sincerely,
Scott B. Halliday
Darren Stumberger: New York, NY: Willis, you are a true inspiration to me and I wish you the best of luck in your return to greatness. Only look forward champ! No feeling sorry for yourself, get yourself better and dominate again like you did this year. Best wishes man!
Ben Nines: Columbus, OH
: Everything you do is fast, so I have little doubt your recovery will be anything different. See you in New Orleans next year.
Warren Bernard: Gainesville, Fl.: Willis…I’ve been a Hurricane fan since 1959 when my dad first took me to a ‘Cane game. George Mira was my first sports hero.
In all those years, you’ve been just about the most impressive Hurricane of them all, both as a player and as a person. If I could change either the outcome of the game or your injury, I’d pick the injury in a second. I was glad to read about your insurance.(Besides, we all know that wasn’t pass interference…I recorded the game and cut the tape off after that 4th down play, but before that idiot threw the flag…I figure that in about 40 years I probably won’t remember the real ending anymore.)
I’m sincerely hoping you quickly regain that awesome ability you’ve displayed this past season. Good luck in the future, and I hope that if you do stay in school, that you score seven TD’s in next year’s national championship game.
With best regards, Warren Bernard
Ben Hudson, S.: Orlando, FL: Dear Willis,I was at the game last friday and saw what happened. It was truly frustrating to see you on the ground in pain. I have watched you all year and consider you to be the best back I have ever seen. Don’t let this injury get you down. Fight back and show everyone what Hurricanes are made of. I hope to see you back on the field at the Orange Bowl soon. Sincerely, Ben Hudson
Ajith Joseph: Palos Hills: Congratulations on an incredible year. As a recent Miami alumni, it made me so proud to see such an incredibly gifted athlete display his skill and determination to win, to take Miami to the top. In the land of the Boring Big Ten I definitely miss attending the action and excitement at UM. You’re way too good to not make a full recovery so I’m sure you’ll have a chance to surpass your own numbers in the UM record books soon. Good luck kid.
Aaron Willits: Aledo, IL: Willis
I hope your surgery went well and you get to rehabing as soon as possible.Your alot of fun to watch and I hope you dont need to use your insurance. Looking forward to seeing you in the future. Later and best wishes.
Aaron Willits
Christie Cepeda: Miami Springs, FL: Willis, Just wanted to say get well soon. I’m sure you won’t remember who I am but I went to Springs with you. I thought you were great then and your still great now…I hope you can fully recover from the injury and play football again…Hopefully for the Canes and if you do I will cheer you on.. Get Well Soon
Christie Cepeda
Deborah Woodcock: Palos Verdes Est,CA: I’am very sorry about your injury,go figure the last game.Your a very exciting player to watch,and you seem like a great guy,I’ve read alot about you,and I’am sure this won’t keep you down for long,but make sure you take all the time you need for your recovery,you have a great future ahead for you.God Bless
Bruce, McGuire, M: Darien, CT: Our family, Bruce, Anne, Alex (9) and Caroline (6) send you our best wished for a speedy and full recovery.
You epitomize the courage and the class of the “new” Miami Hurricanes.
Thank you for all of you efforts on the field and for representing the University so well.
We are and will always be Willis McGahee fans!
Brandon Colby Frascona: Tallahassee, FL: Willis man keep your head up and fight through this its just another bump in the road. I had a hell of a time watching you this year you are an amazing football player and an amazing person. Ill be praying for you. Best of luck. Your the man!
JUAN GARCIA A.: CAMP PENDLETON, CALIFORNIA: WillisAlways remember set-backs build character, and character is what defines us. Take care of your health first and do not rush anything, you have your whole life ahead of you. I wish you well along with all of your Marine Corps Miami fanatics out here in Cali. Stay safe and God BlessSemper FidelisSSgt Juan GarciaU.S Marine Corps
marc jones s: central city, kyi’m sorry that your season ended the way it did in the bowl game,and i’m hoping your recovery will be quick. you had a great seasonand deserve alot credit for the way the team played this season.i look forward to seeing you next season in the green and orange foranother run for a championship, which should be going for a three-peat.if not in the green and orange i hope you have a great rookie season like another’cane Clinton Portis. Get well soon and have faith in yourself and you will get throughthis setback.
George Gagne: Florence, SC: Dear Willis…I want to wish you a speedy recovery, but most importantly I want to thank you for the hard work and superior effort you gave throughout the 2002 year. Without you, the fans would have been cheated out of seeing a true talent shine on gameday. As a long time Cane fane and an out of state season ticket holder being able to watch you run on Saturday made it all worth while. If I could trade places with you right now to keep you from being injured I would. Remember one thing, the worst is over..you are back together and the Big Man above will help with the rest. Be patient….your willingnes to do what it takes will never be questioned…that’s the WILL in WILLIS. Stay strong. Your friends, family and fans will help you through..God bless you man.
JOHN MULLINS, JACKSONVILLE ,FL: WILLIS.I HOPE YOU GET WELL SOON.I KNOW IT’S NOT A CONSOLATION BUT YOU HAD A GREAT SEASON AND I KNOW YOU’LL COME BACK EVEN STRONGER.YOU HAVE A GREAT HEART AND WILL BE BACK.KEEP YOUR HEAD AND GOOD LUCK TO YOU AND GOD BLESS YOUR FAMILY. SINCERLY,Justin, Martin, T.: Atlanta, GA: I wish you well on a speedy recovery. You are my favorite player in college football, and I know you will be back. If you can come back from the same injury you suffered in high school to be as fast and as strong you were, you can do it again.
Our senior running back went down with a left ACL injury this year, and being his teammate, I know the feeling of losing a vital player. I look forward to seeing what you can do next year either back at Miami or in the NFL somewhere. You’ll be back again. Guarantee it.
P.S. Tell Johnathan Vilma that was a great hit on Krenzel in the 4th. JOHN MULLINS
Alejandro Rivera: Fresno, CA: Get well soon. Your a great back and youl’l be back in full force. Best of Luck from BULLDOG country.
Corey L. Glover: Hollywood, FL: Willis, I was so sorry to see what happened to you. I believe you are one of, if not THE best player to play for the UofM in a long time. I felt you were just starting to dent Ohio State’s defense, and you would have made the diffence in the game. You are a difference-maker on and off the field. Keep your head up and keep smiling.
I wish you and your family God-speed and I pray you will have a quick, healthy recovery.
Jessica Nealy2: Temple, Texas: My family wishes to send you our best wishes and a speedy and full recovery.We are from Texas (my husband, son and myself) and our yours and the CANES biggest fans! Although you guys didn’t win the Nat’l. Championship (which you really did – “BAD CALL”), we still think your football team is the best in the country. Keep up the good work and I know will be seeing you out there playing again next year!
GET WELL SOON!
Your Biggest Fans from TEXAS,Jessica, Roderick & Kaelan
Maurice Thrower: North Miami, FL: Willis,
I’m pretty sure that this is a trying time for you because what happened is so unfortunate. However, I leave you with this little note of inspiration with hopes that it will keep your head up in your time of recovery. Take care and stay focused.
– Maurice
Gene, Gonzales, C: Fort Worth, Texas: Willis, sorry about your knee. The entire Hurricanes team and especially you have brought me so much joy this year, let me thank you. I gained a greater appreciation for the kind of young man you are after reading the article in ESPN the Magazine about you and you family. You are truly a positive role model and I’m sure that even in your rehabilitation you will demonstrate your hardworking character for others as a paradigm to follow. I know you’ll keep your head up and I can’t wait to see you leading the Canes back in the hunt for the National Championship.PEACE!Gene
Orain E Pitt: North Lauderdale: HI,Willis it is so heart breaking to see what happen on Jan 3 I really don’t care about the lost.I’m am more concerned about the fact that you got hurt it bring tears to my eyes it feel like someone hurt a family member of mine.Every other sport talk in family your name always comes up it feel like I know you personally.You inspire me a whole lot, I have placed my prayers at the altar of the lord and he said cast your cares upon him for he careth for you.May good bless you and your family through these trying times.”Mcgahee” fan for life #2
Joey Mendez: 473 Mohave Terr: Mendez473@aol.com6Message : Mr McGahee, Our prayers & thoughts are with you hoping for a full recovery.
Chris Parker: Estill Springs: Dear Willis,I know you don’t know me but I am a huge miami fan.Living here in tenn. everybodys either for the vols or bama but not me i am a hurricane fan all the way.When I saw the play when you got hurt it made me hurt.I just knew it was bad I just hoped that you sprained it or something.I know you can get threw this because your a cane and your strong.Just keep your head up and you will get threw this besides you have to, you still have a heisman to win and another national championship.Best wishes Tenn. biggest hurricane fan.CHRIS GET WELL SOON!!!
Judy Banks I: Jacksonville, Florida: Hi Willis,Please get well soon, the canes and your fans need to see you back on the field doing what you do best running the ball. My family and I have been cane fans since the 70’s and you are one of the best if not the best runner i have seen. I enjoy watching you run. You will definitely be an asset to the pro’s so get well, take care of those knees, I will be looking forward to seeing you in 2003 running for the Canes. Get Well Soon Grandma Banks and all the Banks Family.P.S. The Canes are #1.
Frank Hennebert: Galena OH: You’re in our prayers.
