Papers are full of horrible stories about premier league footballers who earn millions every year and don’t know how to spend this easy come income, wasting it on gambling, drinks and high living, instead of investing wisely for rainy days. No wonder so many are in financial trouble after retiring from the game, earning pittance from odd jobs. Only a very few are able to move on to media and administration, as backroom staffs, scouting for new talents or even become Head Coach.
So the story of Jermain Defoe, a humble, unpretentious premier league popular footballer, having played for premier league clubs like West Ham, Tottenham, Sunderland and Bournemouth who was honoured in the Queen’s Birthday Honour’s list, with OBE, has caught every one’s imagination. He described it as the proudest moment of his life with mix emotion. Defoe is indeed a worthy recipient who was recognised for his services to charitable foundation established in his name, has caught every one’s imagination.
Bradly Lowery, a six year old football crazy boy suffering from terminal cancer, who idealized the lustrous footballer, was granted his wish to meet Defoe who says there was chemistry between them and he made instant connection with his tragic best pal Bradley. Defoe attended his funeral, wearing England shirt. It is indeed praise worthy that such a busy player with myriad demand on his time, found time for the boy, visiting him as often as he could.
Let us hope that this bitter sweet friendship between a prince and a pauper has touched the hearts of other England footballers and hopefully some of them will follow into the footsteps of Defoe for the good of the game at large.
Kumudini Valambia
By email
