EUGENE, Ore. — A nice surprise for the Oregon Ducks football team on Friday, as they came home to an airport filled with cheering fans as they crossed through the security gates.
Football players say they were not expecting anyone to be at the Eugene airport to greet them. They say it is nice to see so much support.
“It just goes to show you we have the best fans in the country,” said Johnathan Loyd, a wide receiver on the team. “All this support they show; the dedication they have for this football team is just amazing.”
It was a special moment for the players, fans, and coaches.
“It’ huge,” said Mark Helfrich, the Ducks head football coach. “Again it’s just another just affirmation of what this whole thing’s about. And that we’re all in this together. It’s the guys on the field, it’s the people behind the scenes; it’s the fans that make it happen and create so much of the passion. So it’s awesome to look them in the eye and say thanks.”
Many fans came out to the airport with pictures and footballs to get autographs.
“It means a lot to me,” said Duck fan Spencer Ross, who has his football signed by players. “It’s pretty special.”
“We need to show them that we appreciate what they’ve done, and they should be very proud of themselves,” said Duck fan Robin Gambino.
