Thankful in just so many ways to JT

IF YOU can get through the fan messages to Cowboys legend Johnathan Thurston printed on the special edition wrap of today’s Bulletin without shedding a tear, you’re one tough cookie.

Those were just a selection of more than 200 messages to the Greatest of All Time North Queensland halfback.

For those few people Thurston hasn’t managed to turn into fan boys or girls — and there can’t be many of you — we’re unapologetic for the overthe- top Festival of JT that we’ve been pushing for the last few weeks.

The messages from fans around the world demonstrate the power of Thurston.

He’s been an inspiration to so many people.

Young footballers, old ladies who’ve never watched a game in their life, the indigenous community and so many more.

Here in Townsville, let’s not forget that winning kick in the dying moments of the 2015 grand final did so much for our city’s morale. It wasn’t just about the football. We were in one of the toughest economic periods the city had seen and the Cowboys win was the one thing we had to give us confidence.

After that winning kick, JT used his platform to call for a new stadium for the North and after a campaign by the community and this publication, we’re now watching that dream turn into a reality.

We may joke about how good it would be to have JT for PM, but we are deadly serious when we say our city owes him a debt of gratitude.

Today and on Sunday when we great our boys at Townsville Airport on their return from the Gold Coast, we say thanks, JT.

Thanks for the passion, the entertainment and the inspiration.

Thanks for letting us believe that anything is possible.

Thanks, JT, for the memories.