The Daily Egyptian is published by the students of SIU at Carbondale. Except during vacations and exam weeks, The Daily Egyptian is published Monday through Friday during the fall and spring semesters and TWThF during the summer semester."

Fans - small in number, big in heart

On behalf of the entire football team, I want to thank all the fans for their incredible support throughout this season. Saturday's loss was not the way anybody envisioned this dream season coming to an end. But the truth is, regardless of Saturday's outcome, playing football this year for this team and accomplishing what we were able to accomplish is nothing short of a dream come true.

My team's heart breaks for those 18 seniors who laid the foundation for success in this program. They may never again enjoy the atmosphere of the locker room, the excitement of thousands of fans cheering them on, or feeling the courage it takes to step out on the football field and sacrifice your body for your teammates.

This year we didn't simply dream this dream, like I and so many others did while growing up, we lived it. We went to Northern Illinois University, and we demanded their respect and won over the respect of the entire state. We accomplished something Jim Tressel's four time National Championship dynasty at Youngstown State didn't accomplish by going through the conference undefeated, shattering many offensive and defensive records along the way.

Regardless of what Sports Illustrated has written, or what the attendance numbers suggest, we deeply appreciate and attribute much of our success to those of you who have supported us this season. You have supported us on the field and off. My teammates and I are often approached by people who have encouraging words to say. Such encouragement fuels our passion for the game, and makes it easier for us to go to practice and work hard. What some have labeled as lackluster in numbers, our fans have made up for it in spirit.

Those of you in the front row with your painted chests in the freezing temperatures don't go unnoticed. We see and admire your passion. When I start thinking about the poor weather conditions, I find myself looking to you for inspiration.

We all play this great game knowing frustration and discouragement are likely, but fans have the unique ability to lift a team out of those states that would make us defeat ourselves. All season long my teammates have thrown their bodies around, enduring pain like I have never seen.

I am often asked, mainly by my mother, why we subject our bodies to such misery. We endure because of our faith, our family and because of our fans. We don't like to lose and we do whatever it takes to win and see our fans go home happy. We wish we could have sent you home happy on Saturday, but keep in mind that, even in our loss, we battled for sixty minutes and we did it with you in mind. Thanks again for all the support, all year long.

Joel is the Saluki quarterback. These views do not necessarily reflect those of the DAILY EGYPTIAN.

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