Mauti overwhelmed by support

For three hours on Thursday night, Penn State linebacker Mike Mauti holed himself up in the business center of his Chicago hotel. The e-mails started coming in on Wednesday, by Friday morning they totaled over 130.

So he read. And he answered every last one.

Penn State fans from all over the world wanted to voice their support after watching Mauti, teammate Michael Zordich and about 30 other players make a statement and stand up for their embattled program on Wednesday morning.

"The one that really got to me was from a player from the 1947 team, it was one of those situations where they wouldn't let the team integrate," explained Mauti. "They were going down somewhere, I don't remember where they were playing. The guys were saying, 'You can bring your team, but just bring your white guys.'

"They had kind of a similar situation where guys didn't want them to play and the establishment didn't want the team to be together. It was kind of the same message along those lines. That really stuck out to me. A guy from that era that can relate to what we're going through."

Mauti was also touched by the support from Penn State fans stationed overseas in the military.

"If anybody can understand loyalty to someone, something, some idea, it's those people," said Mauti. "The first thing that I said was thank you for your service to our country. Those people are putting their lives on the line. This is just what we love to do. It really does put things in perspective. The support has been overwhelming."

Both Mauti and head coach Bill O'Brien preached the importance of moving forward despite the NCAA's recent actions.

"I expect our fans and our alums and our lettermen to be with us. You're either in or you're out," said O'Brien. "No one cares anymore in the football building what you think about the Freeh Report, it's there for everybody to read. No one cares what you think about NCAA sanctions. They are what they are. Move on, turn the page.

"Turn the page, get going, support us and continue being the great fans and alums that you guys have been."