Wake tribute to player's brother
Posted: September 28th, 2006, 9:10 am
The Wake guys asked me to post this one:
Last week, there was an article about Jon Abbate and a player from Ole Miss who had both lost brothers in the recent past. Here’s a link to the story if you missed it: www.usatoday.com/sports/c...bate_x.htm
The USA Today article details how Jon Abbate and his parents have begun signaling to one another at the beginning of the fourth quarter: "Just before the fourth quarter begins, Wake Forest junior linebacker Jon Abbate raises his hand, his five fingers signaling the No. 5. It's the football jersey number his youngest brother, Luke, wore. Abbate scans the crowd, home or away, and finds his parents, Maryanne and Steven, who do the same signaling. The "fifth quarter" is how they refer to it."
In the thread discussing this article, Spragoo wondered if Wake fans could demonstrate unity with the Abbates and join them in this salute to Luke. Mr. Steven Abbate, Jon’s and Luke’s dad, indicated that the family would be honored if Wake fans were to join them. Here’s the thread where this was discussed (see especially page 2): mb16.scout.com/fwakefores...=1&stop=20
Wouldn’t it be great at Homecoming if 25,000+ Wake fans stood, between the 3rd and 4th quarter, and held up five fingers to show support for Jon, his parents, and the entire Wake team! What a great way to show that Wake really is about Family. Please remember to do this on Saturday: at the conclusion of the 3rd quarter, stand and hold up one open hand … 5 fingers. And please do whatever you can to pass the word among students, parents, alumni, fans.