Cassel back with team
SAN JOSE, Calif. -- Quarterback Matt Cassel, who returned home yesterday after his father, Greg Cassel, passed away Monday night, is back with the Patriots this afternoon and indications are that he will play Sunday against the Oakland Raiders.
Cassel practiced this afternoon, but was not available to speak to the media. His teammates were happy to have him back and said they sympathized with his situation.
"Maybe being around the guys might ease [things] a bit," said fullback Heath Evans. "I don't know that for a fact. I know I just kind of wanted to wrap my arms around him this morning and tell him I loved him. At this time, that's about the only thing you know to do. Hopefully, we can be of some encouragement to him and see how that helps him out."
Mike Vrabel offered similar sentiments.
"Well, I think it will be good for Matt [to be around the team]," Vrabel said. "I don't think anybody can relate to losing a parent, especially a father, but I think what we do is play football. We've got a support staff in there, and hopefully he can lean on his teammates."
Greg Cassel's funeral is Monday.
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Matt,
So sorry to hear about your fathers passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Suzanne and Ryan Culp
LEAVE THE KID ALONE
This situation goes so much beyond Football...I'm sorry for your loss Matt, my thoughts are with you and your family.
Can Matt and the Patriots face any more adversity? My prayers go out to Matt and his family. If he can get through this game on Sunday, Matt will carry us to the playoffs without a doubt!
Go get 'em Matt! Everyone's best from Boston
Good luck Matt!
Our prayers go out to you and Lauren. The McMahon Family
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family, Matt.
Agreed. This situation transcends sports. Family is always first. I appreciate the dedication he is showing us and the team here. I hope he is rewarded for it handsomely in the future, both personally and professionally.
Matt Cassel = Class act.
Fantasy team owners are sweating bullets
I like Matt's idea. Let him alone and leave it be.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
good luck Matt
The show must go on. No need to become a present day Wally Pip.
Man up!!! Suite up!! They'll be time to lick the wounds after the season is over. This is the business you've chosen.....
Matt...my heart goes out to you. As has been stated previously..you are a class act. My prayers go out to you and your family..
Do what you need to do for you.
Jesus Matt, take some time. It's just a stupid game.
Go for it. Your dad would be proud.
We wish you and your familyy all the best, our prayers are with you.
Greg, were you born an insensitive sot or did you go to school for that?
Our thoughts and prayers are with you on this sad occasion. Hope you have a good game this week and able to take your mind off things for a bit
He may decide to play out the game sunday . it's only a few hours. it may take his mind off of the bitter reality for a little while and then he can return to his family and funeral arrangements. we need to be realistic; there is a lot riding on every game at this point and he im sure he is weighing that in his decision. Unfortunately, he has a very high profile job.
Hey, Greg Murphy show some human compassion. Matt lost his father. I'm a big Boston sports fan but there are more important things in life. When something like this happens some people realize not to complain about the stupid things in life.
My prayers go out to you and your family Matt
In the story, according to Mike Vrabel, "I don't think anybody can relate to losing a parent, especially a father." What a dope. There is a reason these idiotic numbnuts play football and don't have jobs that require them to think.
i hope he throws 5 td for 500 yard on 30 for 30 no picks.
I'm sorry for his loss. I must also admit that I have nothing but the utmost admiration and respect for what he's done this season. Good luck, Matt!!
Matt, I wish the best for you and your family. I lost both parents back-to-back at a fairly young age, too. Keeping busy and working helped me get through it., but everyone is different. Hopefully you'll find what works best for you. Healing takes a longtime-when it's a parent-the pain never really never goes away.
My prayer go out to you and your family. The StPaul Family
Matt-
My prayers go out to you and your entire family. You are a class act all the way and the Patriots are lucky to have you.
If know what it is like to lose your dad, then you have to know that it is completely up to Matt how he wants to - and is able - to handle the situation. I would not hold it at all against him if he did not play this Sunday and I would also understand if he did play. It's just not a situation you can be judgmental about.
Greg, you are an insensitive JERK!
Prayers from the Potters, the Barrys, and the Demers from Salt Lake City Matt...
At least his Dad got to see Matt realize his dream starting for the NE Patriots.
Matt......play if you want to play, sit if you want to sit. Everything changes now. God bless you and your family.
matt i wish you the best of luck i understand what happed to your father and what your going threw its good your dedacating the game to your dad im a bag patriot fan and u love your dad alot and u didnt quit for the team and thats good.
good luck matt
I know when my dad passed away .Being around people who cared for me was a good place to be... thats where he is now.
Matt...your dads in a better place with the best seat in the house.
peace to you and your family
Matt will do what all football players do when faced with a loss, especially a father. And that's play the best damn football of his life for him!
Case in Point: Brett Farve, MNF. nuff said.
God Bless
Boston is thinking of you, Matt, and your family! You continue to make us proud to have you as one of our own.
Why have the patriots been great under Kraft and Belichick?
One word.... Family.
This team has transcended normal bonds of the locker room. The outcry of support from players for Matt and his desire to get back to the time so quickly tell you everything you ever had to know about the Patriots.
Even in a season when they are down, they are still winners when it counts most, when it counts to each other.
Greg Murphy is an illiterate moron. May he never breed.
So sorry about your loss. My family is my life however you choose to deal with it, will be the best for you. Family comes first. Football is there for you when you are ready. Idiots like Greg must have no idea how important family is.
Matt, Congrats on all you have accomplished this season, you deserve it as a professional football player. More importantly, Congrats on your commitment to your family and your team. You have shown strong character and the Pats nation is behind you. Good luck and god bless.
Best wishes from California Patriots fans, Matt. I'm sure your father was incredibly proud of you...
Major league sports: the only profession in the world where idiots complain when workers take time off for family bereavements.
(As long as they're starters. I bet Greg wouldn't be talking about "man up" if Sam Aiken or Mike Richardson took some time off, huh?)
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