Send a Letter to Zook
From:
Pat Hays
Message:
Dear Coach,
You will probably think this letter a little strange but I wanted to share this story with you, especially because of what has happened this year.
My husband and I had been going to football games together actually before we were even married. We had a motorhome and we would even go to all the away games. Sometimes we had a group and sometimes it was just the two of us. In the days of our bowl games, when people would ask "where are you going on your vacation this winter?" He would reply, "Wherever the Illini are playing in a bowl game!" Our football teams used to set us off in the direction of our winter trips. He really loved football, especially the run.
In 2004 at the end of the football season, his life changed. He found out he had a cancer that was life threatning unless he could survive a surgery that would leave him with some possible disabilities and no voice. He elected to have the surgery, and did good for 2 days then he had a stroke that paralized him on the left side. The stroke of course compromised his healing and rehabilitation, he tried so very hard. Now his life was bed, wheelchair, feeding tube, medicine and me. Eventually, nursinghomes, nurses and caregivers taking care of him. It got so he couldn't follow things on TV, he would get confused easily.
In July of this year, his body or his heart I don't know which just finally stopped fighting. He figured out a way to be with the people he loved, watch some football and watch over those of us still trying to figure things out.
You are probably wondering why I am telling you all this, well, each game I was at this year, especially some of those "upsets" I would just look up to the heavens and say "Well, honey, what do you think of that. Bet you liked those running plays!" Then I'd get a tear or two in my eyes, for him, for the team, for you and even for the way the stadium looked. It was all so wonderful but yet so bittersweet. Well, anyway, I just wanted you to know, that in 1984 we both were there at the Rosebowl, and it is one of the greatest experience I have ever witnessed. This year, only my husband will be there, he will be watching over all of you like he has this whole season, this I truly believe.
I will be cheering you on from some TV screen in Illinois, just know that there are believers everywhere.
