da 888： Friday 13th is not a favoured date in any annual calendar; its connotations represent a day of peril and disaster. It subjugates its believers to a day of fear and apprehension, with many wondering if any credence can be given to the unlucky notoriety that this date signifies. In reality, Friday 13th July was an indication of the chasm of respect that separates football from any other sport. In Westminster, England, current Chelsea and former England Captain John Terry had just been acquitted of racial abuse toward QPR’s Anton Ferdinand. Meanwhile in Annonay Davézieux, France, Cyclist Bradley Wiggins retains the acclaimed yellow jersey and reinforces his place at the top of the leader board, where he remained until the Tour de France climax. While one of these moments is considered among the greatest sporting achievements in recent memory by a Briton, the other is considered a damning day for English football and left a sour taste in the mouths of everyone involved in the sport. This comparison is not an isolated incident. On many occasions, legends and heroes are labelled to competitors in other sports, while footballers are publically shamed, with incidents of unprofessionalism that are reported more frequently than selfless, heroic endeavours. With David Beckham carrying the metaphorical torch as English footballs current ‘legend’, a successor may need to be found before ‘Golden Balls’ hangs up his boots and fades into playing retirement.
da jogodeouro： It seems that even the once prolific, respected footballers have their demons that are eventually uncovered and dragged around publically for all to see; a Braveheart style humiliation. While Sir Chris Hoy, Jessica Ennis and Victoria Pendleton are all sports men and women who are respected and considered talisman for the forthcoming Olympics, the captain of the GB men’s football team is Ryan Giggs, a man who is no stranger to negative press. Despite his remarkable feats in his trade, the Welshman will always have a blotted stain on his career after the infamous super injunction scandal and subsequent demonising by the press. This is an indication that even the most glorified of footballers from our land, will never live up to the heroic statuses of the less condemned athletes. However, with the financial reward that football hands to its prominent stars, is it any wonder that legendary status is no longer applicable to a sport that many feel is occupied by egocentric, overpaid players?
For many, humility is a key factor in the make-up of a sporting legend. While there are many players who display humbleness to their character, the fact that most recognisable footballers earn nonsensical amounts of cash, makes them unable to be considered unpretentious, regardless of their personality traits. This makes it hard for footballers to announce themselves as legends or role models nowadays. However, despite their pre-judgement that they cannot escape from, the beautiful game is drenched with scandal and misbehaviour from its players. From weekly occurrences such as simulation on the field to more deeply worrying issues such as racism scandals and adultery claims, football is never out of the media spotlight. If Cycling had as much media coverage as football does, would stories be uncovered that would shame its sporting participants? If Cricket reached the obsessive levels of support that football draws in, would players be shamed and no longer considered legendary?
Regardless of this, football is the most popular sport in this country by some distance. Many young stars of the future look up to these shamed players as role models. Without sounding like an irate Grandfather moaning about modern day music, some footballers need to look at the considered greats of the game and take a page or five out of their book. However, this may never happen, especially considering the vast sums of money that are earned within the sport alongside the pressures of playing in the Premier League.
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