What other players are saying about Mad Dog Thornhill

Michigan State head football coach Mark Dantonio:
“The passing of Charlie Thornhill is a tremendous loss for all Spartans, especially the former and current football players. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife Laureen and his sons, Josh and Kaleb, in this time of grief.
 

“I really got to know Charlie as a person during my stint here as an assistant coach. The first day I met Charlie, I could tell that he was passionate about football and passionate about life. He was a great man, a great player and a great father. Charlie was asked to address the football team on several occasions because he really embodied the Spartan tradition. He was very proud of his association with this University and its football program.”
 

Former teammate Clinton Jones (running back, 1964-66):
“Charles ‘Mad Dog’ Thornhill is one of the most extraordinary people that I have met in my entire life. In many ways, his playing career has been overlooked because of headliners like George Webster, Bubba Smith, Gene Washington and myself. Believe me, ‘Mad Dog’ was the unsung hero because he helped provide the backbone and foundation of those championship teams. He was only 5-10, but he played like he was 6-10. Despite being undersized, ‘Mad Dog’ was one of the strongest guys on the team. He was an awesome player, who played with great energy and passion, and we naturally fed off of him. ‘Mad Dog’ played a remarkable game against Notre Dame in the 1966 10-10 tie, finishing with 16 tackles.
 

“He will be sorely missed by his teammates, but he will always be in our hearts.”    

Thanks to John Lewandowski of MSU SID