Friday, November 25, 2005

Georgie R.I.P.

Well, I suppose we all expected it to happen.  But now that it has, and George Best is no longer with us, perhaps he will be remembered for all the right reasons.  Of course, Best's name was made before mass pop culture really came into force and before television induced and produced mega stars like a production line.  Best was part of an era where football was played in shirts minus sponsors logos, on muddy pitches in an uncompromising fashion during a time of relative innocence and naivety.  A far cry from the cynicism and commercialism of present-day football.

Best was a true genius when it came to the playing of the game of the football. Greats like Pele thought so, as did many other luminaries from the beautiful game.  Admired and respected and feared by his fellow professionals and honoured by them, Best truly was the first sporting superstar.

Let's hope that the partisan and cynical nature of football gives way to a genuine appreciation of a footballing legend.  It's time to appreciate the joys and triumphs that Georgie Best provided rather than chart the decline  of his career and his becoming a casualty of fame. ...

Addendum:
It's upsetting to see some reactions to news of George Best's passing. In particular, in mentioning George Best's death to several people today and reading some internet postings I have come across judgements about how his transplant was wasted on him or how he should not have been allowed the chance to live.  It's easy to judge such a person ((unknown and unconnected to us as they are) and cast a negative opinion, especially when tabloid newspapers are inclined to feed that very viewpoint.  I would just say in response, if it was your father, your brother or your son would you be the one to tell them that you were going to deprive them of the opportunity of life?  Would you be the person to tell a doctor not to undertake that chance?  If one were to extend that further surely someone involved in a drink-driving incident would be deprived of treatment, someone who took part in dangerous sports would be left uncared for, and those who through any of their life choices put themselves ar risk would be untreated.  I don't think that is feasible.  In George Best's case his alcoholism was an illness and a disease in itself.  No amount of pathetic jokes about it can deny that George Best's alcoholism was part of his ill-health, physical or mental and therefore he deserved treatment. .    .

Posted by Jon at 2:12:45 PM in Musing (23) | Comments (0)

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