Dear Mountaineer Nation,
As I take my next step in life and football—joining the Tampa Bay Buccaneers through the NFL Draft—I feel it is only proper to pause, reflect, and express my heartfelt thanks to the people, the location, and the passion that made this moment possible. From the first time I put on the West Virginia jersey to the last time I took the field in Morgantown, every moment has been a gift. You shaped not only my career as a quarterback, but also the guy I am today.
Thank you to my teammates, coaches, and the entire West Virginia football family. You believed in me, challenged me, and supported me. You helped me hone my leadership skills, improve my game, and realize my full potential. I’ve never taken for granted the brotherhood we’ve created, the fights we’ve fought, or the wins we’ve celebrated. You were more than teammates—you were my family. We sweat together, we bled together, and we grew together.
Words can’t express how much your support for the Mountaineers has meant to me. Whether it was a cold night at Milan Puskar Stadium or a road game away from home, you showed up with unrivaled pride and passion. You supported us in terrible moments, and you applauded us in fantastic ones. Your trust gave me strength, and your cheers gave me fuel. I shall take the sound of “Let’s Go Mountaineers!” with me wherever I go.
Thank you, West Virginia University administration, faculty, and support staff, for fostering an atmosphere in which I could succeed both on and off the field. You provided me with the basis to succeed not only as an athlete, but also as a student, leader, and community person. Every time I wore the gold and blue, you taught me the value of representing something bigger than myself.
To the people of West Virginia, you have taught me what it means to be proud of your heritage. Your tenacity, heart, and unwavering energy were daily reminders of why I picked this location. I’ve never seen a community unite behind a team like you have, and I never will again. I hope I made you proud every time I stepped on the field.
Even though I now wear a different jersey and represent a new team, I will always be a Mountaineer at heart. This location created me. These people have shaped me. And the memories I created here will last a lifetime.
Thank you for your affection. Thank you for your support. And thank you for calling West Virginia home.
With my whole heart,
Garrett Greene is a lifelong mountaineer.