Chiefs’ Green thanks fans for recent support

KANSAS CITY — Quarterback Trent Green, still recovering from a severe concussion, thanked fans Monday for thousands of expressions of support that have poured in from around the world.

A Kansas City Chiefs spokesman said Green had been so moved by the many people who reached out to him, he asked for permission to post his thank-you response on the team Web site.

About 3,000 e-mails from all 50 states and such faraway countries as Singapore, Saudi Arabia, Ireland and the Cayman Islands, have been received.

“Dear Chiefs Fans,” the note begins.

“I just wanted to express my sincere gratitude to the many fans and individuals from around the country and across the world who sent a card, letter or e-mail to wish me a speedy recovery after I was injured on September 10th.”

“Your outpouring of support has been truly overwhelming. On behalf of my entire family, we sincerely appreciated your prayers and the words of encouragement you expressed. It was truly a humbling experience to realize how concerned so many of you were.”

“Again, I just wanted to say ‘thank you’ to all of you who took the time to write in and express your kind sentiments.”

“Sincerely, Trent Green.”

How long Green will be sidelined remains to be seen. Coach Herm Edwards said Tuesday he will miss a second-straight start on Sunday when the Chiefs host the San Francisco 49ers.

A two-time Pro Bowler, Green was going into a feet-first slide when he was knocked unconscious by a thunderous, head-snapping hit from Cincinnati’s Robert Geathers. Geathers was not penalized on the play and Green’s teammates, many after viewing replays, agreed that it had not been a cheap shot.

But the popular quarterback, who passed for more yards from 2001-2005 than anyone except Peyton Manning, lay motionless on the turf for about 10 minutes. The sold-out stadium held its collective breath while he was strapped to a gurney and hurried to a hospital, where doctors said he had suffered a very severe concussion.

He is still undergoing medical tests.

Pete Moris, the Chiefs’ associate director of public relations, said he bundled up a big stack of the e-mails and gave them to Green.

“He and his wife, Julie, were both just overwhelmed,” Moris said.

“He heard from people who have never even been to America, let alone to a football game in Kansas City. But they wanted to wish him the best. In addition to the e-mails, there’s a whole stack of mail here. I wouldn’t even venture a guess as to how many cards and letters have been sent in.”

“Some were very poignant. Many people went into great length about how they felt about him and how much they appreciate what a great role model he is.”

Green might visit the team again this week.

“He’s doing better,” said his friend and teammate Kendall Gammon, who drove him to the stadium Saturday for a visit.

Gammon said he did not want to speculate on when Green might be able to resume practice.

“That’s between Trent and his doctors,” Gammon said. “But I just wish all these people who complain about the money athletes make would take a look at the replay of that hit Trent took.”