Dear Mr. John Fox,
This Sunday's game against the Philadelphia Eagles means a lot to you and your Panthers. I am sure that the players and Carolina fans want to make it to Houston for the Super Bowl more than anything in the world. You even have those around the country backing you just because they want to see the underdog overcome, and maybe even slip on that diamond-studded ring.

But I am not just one of those outsiders who want to see David conquer Goliath. I represent a group of people who need, and I emphasize need, you to win on Sunday. We need it like Michael Jackson needs an alibi. I represent a large group, probably tens of thousands of people, who think about you and your team daily.

We are the Penn State students of Western Pa., New York, Maryland and D.C. We are the Steelers fans, the Giants fans, the Ravens and the Redskins fans.

Mr. Fox, I can assure you that, while those in and around Charlotte, N.C., would be devastated by a loss, the stakes are higher at this university. We are the students and football fans who currently reside in one of the most competitive sporting environments in the nation, and will let you know it.

If you weren't watching this season, Joe Paterno's Nittany Lions were about as enjoyable as kick in the groin. So we all waited for our NFL teams. The Steelers didn't kick like the Lions, though -- they grabbed and twisted.

So here's where I am, John. I'm on the bus with three "McNabbs." I'm in class with a "Thrash" and a "Staley." I'm choking a Philadelphian with my Terrible friggin' Towel for chanting E-A-G-L-E-S one too many times -- even though it's only in my imagination, it makes me smile.

Excuse my hostility sir, but you have to understand how annoying these drunken guys in the green jerseys can be. I threw out good sportsmanship a couple of years ago when I arrived at Penn State and these deprived fans from the eastside turned me bitter. Eagles fans can't speak of their own Super Bowl and they don't want anyone else to mention theirs. They're jealous, obnoxious and ruthless.

Two more weeks of harmonized spelling would just be too much for the rest of us. Do you know what I mean Mr. Fox? State College could be the single hardest place in the nation to live for 14 more days!

But you have a plan, I know you do. And I have a few ideas that just might give you guys an edge.

Enclosed you will find a bottle of non-drowsy Vicodin. The pills, of course, are for Stephen Davis and his injured quad. Please ignore the recommended dosage -- triple it if you must. I stole them from my roommate who had his wisdom teeth removed. For goodness sake, a big man like Davis can handle a few extra pills. The beautiful twist of it is that my roommate is an Eagles fan.

We'll also need Julius Peppers to beat the living daylights out of Donovan McNabb. I'm sure I'm not the only one who wouldn't mind seeing Koy Detmer or A.J. Feely take the reigns for those guys in green. So get Peppers going. Tell him McNabb hooked up with his girl. Make fun of his mother. Do whatever it takes, Mr. Fox. Spare nothing.

If Peppers gets into the backfield unblocked, I would hope that McNabb can eat only his Campbell's Chunky Soup, served to him by his mother for the next few weeks.

I hope that this message reaches you in time. You're team is fighting for a lot of people of whom they may be unaware. Good luck on Sunday, John. I'm counting on you and thousands more are counting on your Panthers.

Sincerely,

Jonathan Fodi.