From Ames, with Love: A message from Jake Knott

AMES - Monday was The Day.

Jake Knott - an iconic former Iowa State linebacker, though he has a hard time seeing himself that way, prepared to leave Ames.

For good, in one sense.

For now, in another.

"It's a place I'll come back to constantly," Knott said.

Memories were rich, embedded, lingering.

A bare campustown apartment the Philadelphia Eagles rookie long shared with Chicago Bears newbie Josh Lenz awaited new tenants.

Hello, Philadelphia Airport Marriott.

Goodbye, Stanton Avenue.

Knott's once-unlikely dream moves forward - and reaches its crucible on July 26, when Eagles training camp begins.

Above, find video of the undrafted but undeterred free agent saying goodbye (it's not forever) to Ames.

Consider it a prelude to his love story - actually, stories - based in Story County's largest town.

Look for that story, er, those stories, next week in the pages of The Gazette, and online.