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Illinois WR issues statement on Twitter after season-ending injury

Dustin Schutte

By Dustin Schutte

Published:

Mike Dudek is one tough dude.

During Lovie Smith’s weekly press conference on Monday, the Illinois head coach announced that the wide receiver would miss the remainder of the 2018 season with yet another knee injury. It was heartbreaking news that could be felt across the country.

But the Illini receiver is keeping a positive attitude through disheartening circumstances.

After the announcement was made public by his head coach, Dudek issued a statement of his own that he published on Twitter.

“You can’t allow adversity to define your life,” Dudek said. “You must take the good with the bad and continue to move forward. I am forever grateful for all the support I have received these past 4 years. #NoBadDays. Thank you Illini Nation.”

Following a breakout freshman season in 2014, Dudek suffered season-ending injuries in 2015 and 2016 that kept him sidelined for two years. Last season, the receiver was back on the field for seven games before missing the final five games due to injury.

According to Smith, Dudek was injured in Illinois’ season-0pening win over Kent State on Saturday.

Dustin Schutte

Dustin grew up in the heart of Big Ten country and has been in sports media since 2010. He has been covering Big Ten football since 2014. You can follow him on Twitter: @SchutteCFB