I just thought I'd write this piece about the
near-tragic death of the Danish footballer, Christian Eriksen. He was playing
in the Euro match between his home national team Denmark against their
neighbour Finland. I was watching the match live when all of a sudden he, with
no players around him, just fell to the ground. Within seconds it was obvious
there was something seriously wrong. Anyway, to cut a longish story short, they
applied CPR, restored his breathing, and was taken out of the stadium and to hospital.
It is now Sunday and I gather he is up and recuperating. Great news!
So, I have been a big football fan all of my life. I
can go all the way back to when, as a schoolboy, I played for Larbert Primary
School football team as a striker. Over the years maybe many of us became
supporters of our local team - maybe not. Because it is a competitive sport,
you're going to have winners and losers. The competitiveness can lead to tribal
clashes, ructions and of course violence. We only need to reflect on the many
examples: Rangers v Celtic, Manchester United v Manchester City, AC Milan v
Inter Milan, Barcelona v Real Madrid; I could go on.
But this takes me back to yesterday and Christian.
Here was a man who spent seven successful years with Tottenham Hotspur and last
year moved to Inter Milan where, last month, they won the Italian Serie A
title. Again, it is all about winning no matter the mental and physical costs.
This wonderful football player may never play at the highest levels again. He
has realised the hard way that putting one’s life on the line to win a cup or
league medal, with all the prestige that goes with it, might have an impact on
just how serious we must take the sport. Life is too short when the mentality
is winning no matter the outcome!
I do keep reminding myself - and others - that
treading the middle way is always a positive, an alternative even. Why? Think
about the millionaire businessman whose recent yearly profits show £55 million.
Is he happy? Not really because next year he wants to achieve £70 million, £80 million,
maybe £100 million. Greed takes over. Suddenly, Covid-19 comes along and,
within 12 months, his business is almost over. I’m not saying it’s negative not
to aspire to higher things - of course not - but just keep things in
perspective.
No doubt Christian Eriksen’s outlook on life will have
changed overnight!
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