We’re a little late but here you go…
3 time Olympian and 2008 Olympic champion Reid Priddy posted this “Thank You” note on his Facebook page last August 9th:
What an honor it is to play on this team! And it has been special this past week to share our team’s journey with our country. Thank you thank you thank you for your support, messages and loud cheering!!
Though our run ended abruptly last night, I know this teams future is bright and trust this experience will only strengthen our resolve to get back to the top. This team has had to endure some big obstacles this quad and I’m proud of the volleyball we were able to play for the better part of this week in spite of it all.
Thank you again for all your support! And you don’t have to wait four more years to see this team fighting it’s way back to the top, with World League next summer and World Championships the following summer 2014. Volleyball is alive and well worldwide and I want to thank NBC Olympics for giving Americans the opportunity to watch the worlds best volleyball (beach/indoor – men’s/women’s) LIVE. I hope you will continue to give our country that opportunity in the years to come!
Special thank you to US Olympic Team for always going above and beyond to enable Team USA to compete at the highest levels and have every advantage possible. From the organizers, to cooks, to therapist and doctors to sponsors–this is an inspiring and powerful event and a thrill to be a part of. And thank you to Anaheim for providing a home for us to train.
Fans! Nothing but love and gratitude! I am joining you now in loudly cheering for our women’s indoor team going for GOLD!!
I want to take the opportunity to publicly thank all of our armed forces. I have found myself immersed in books telling your stories of heroism this summer and have found tremendous inspiration in your courage, sense of duty and call to a greater purpose. Irrespective of the confusion brought by the media and politics, you continually put your lives on the line–for that I say thank you! I pray for your safety and a swift return home.
God, thank you for your overwhelming mercy and grace. Thank you to my beautiful wife-my soulmate- for being the best partner & teammate and for your unconditional love. To my son for the joy he has brought into our lives. To my family for their love and support — which has always been a source of strength for me.
The sun is out! Today is a new day.
Reid
After representing Team USA for more than a decade, we have a feeling London was Reid’s last Olympics.
Whatever the future brings for Reid, we’re so honored to have had the chance to meet him and also his family. Daddy Reid is definitely and truly one of the nicest and most charismatic volleyball athletes we’ve ever seen!
Cheers to the Reid! Cheers to the Priddys!
Side Dish: Reid’s successor, Matt Anderson, also posted this note on his Facebook Page:
My first olympic experience is coming to an end. Packing up and heading back to the USA today. Still bummed about not reaching our goal of medalling, however we fought together as a team to overcome some great challenges to reach the London2012 games. Many lessons were learned and great friends were made. It was truly an honor to compete for my country alongside these other phenomenal athletes and coaches. Preparation for the Rio 2016 games has already started. Congrats to all the US medalists, especially the USAV WMT, and good luck to all the athletes still competing.
Thank you all.
(images: FIVB)