On September 18, Portland Timbers midfielder Jack Jewsbury announced that he would be calling time on his 14-year professional career at the end of the 2016 MLS season.
So when Jewsbury walked out onto the Providence Park field against the Colorado Rapids on October 1, emotions inside the stadium were running high. This match, fans realized, might be the last time they ever would witness Jewsbury patrolling the Timbers midfield in person.
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“I just wanted to say thank you from the bottom of my heart,” Jewsbury told the Providencre Park crowd before the match. “From the first day we stepped in Portland in 2011 you guys have been amazing. It's been an honor to put this jersey on in the past six years.”
“So I want to thank each and every one of you,” he continued, “for everything you bring to this. Look at this atmosphere that we get to play in front of every single weekend – it's amazing. You know, all your support through the good and the bad times has been amazing. You've not only embraced the team, myself, but also my family and I'll be forever grateful to you guys so thank you so much.”
With that, Jewsbury passed off the microphone and jogged to the waiting match officials, the captain's armband fixed tightly around his left bicep.
Jewsbury played the full 90 minutes in the Timbers' 1-0 victory, making several critical defensive stops along the way, distributing the ball from deep in midfield, and delivering five key passes in the Timbers' attacking half. It was a vintage performance from the midfielder at a time when his team needed him to be at his very best.
A few weeks later, after his final professional match against Vancouver Whitecaps FC, an emotional Jewsbury once again singled out the fans, expressing his gratitude for their constant and unwavering support throughout his six years with the team.
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“It's everything to us as players,” he said. “When we're down they bring us back in.”
“I never knew what I was getting myself into when I came in 2011,” he added. “But the last six years have been an absolute blessing, not only for me but for my family and this club will always be near and dear to my heart.”
