Mike McCarthy's dismissal as the Green Bay Packers' head coach has been bittersweet, as fans called for his firing after a 4-7-1 season through Week 13 but recall a body of successful work as the legacy the 13-year head coach leaves behind.
McCarthy thanked Green Bay, Packers fans and his staff members over the years in a full-page ad running in newspapers across Wisconsin.
"I now know that the pride is in the people." -Mike McCarthy
The #Packers' former head coach thanks fans, players, coaching and support staff in a full-page newspaper ad. (Courtesy of @PGPackersNews) pic.twitter.com/ZtMVr3Xofq
— Kelly Price (@thekellyprice) December 8, 2018
"I wish nothing but the best for the Green Bay Packers moving forward," he wrote in the ad.
The Packers parted ways with McCarthy Sunday night following an embarrassing 20-17 loss to the then-2-9 Arizona Cardinals at Lambeau Field.
The Packers allowed McCarthy to address the players one more time Thursday and reportedly received a standing ovation.
"It's hard to articulate the impact this job had on me and my family. From the beginning, Green Bay has welcomed me with open arms. I met my beautiful wife Jessica here and raised our family of 5 children who will always call Green Bay home. Thank you for the immense outpouring of love our family received this week and throughout our time here. This speaks to the quality of folks in the State of Wisconsin. Coach Lombardi said it best. 'Green Bay is all about Faith, Family and Football.'"
McCarthy wrote he would miss "the Packers people and the pride they have for this organization" the most.
