A somewhat sombre tale this time round...one for reflection and taste of reality.
Today's passing of League legend, Artie Beetson and the recent tragic suicides of cricket personality, Peter Roebuck and English soccer great, Gary Speed have again served as stark reminders that the stars we love and hate are mere mortals...just like us.
It's easy to forget that sports people who've lived and flourished in the public eye, battle problems, issues and bad luck similar to any poor sod. Over time there have been so many champions that've had their lives and careers cuts short by illness, accident or dare I say it... fate.
One that springs to mind, is the tarnished figure of South African cricket, Hansie Cronje. The man that shattered the hearts and minds of all cricket fans by being ousted as a match fixer and cheat. Cronje died tragically in a plane crash not long after his name and reputation were completely shit-mixed by his greed and poor judgement. The guy stuffed up...do you think death was his punishment?...Spooky.
On the other side of the coin, who could forget the emotional wave ridden by 38 year old Aussie Mum, Kerryn McCann as she entered a packed MCG to win the marathon at the 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth games (she won in 2002 also). It will be burnt into the memory of everyone that was old enough to witness and enjoy one of the bravest performances I can remember. McCann would be diagnosed with Breast Cancer a year later and live for only one further year. Gone too soon, but the memories left are priceless.
When someone famous dies it always seems to come as a massive shock. Celebrities and especially sports heroes appear immortal to us. It's like they live in a parallel universe where they are destined to be admired forever. Their deaths snap us back to planet Earth and we realise their private lives mirror the trials and tribulations we roll with every day. They are flesh and blood....surprise!
Marco Simoncelli and Dan Wheldon both died doing what they loved. An overly used cliche. Did they really love their sports enough to give their life. Maybe it was the risk they loved... who knows? A duel tragedy that gets forgotten about as soon as the next big sports scandal crashes the back page.
It seems so unfair that a death in sport stays in our minds for only as long as the media allows. It's sad to dwell on - don't you think?
Flo Jo, Phar Lap and Australian cricket are sporting deaths shrouded in mystery. Intriguing stories that are part of folklore. Let's hope our cricketers can rise from the ashes.....sorry that was terrible. Early sporting deaths add to the mystic, brilliance, adoration and even infamy of the departed. Early deaths have transformed the good into great, the hated into loved and the larrikins into angels.
There are so many that enjoyed glittering careers, but struggled once the ride was over. Speed obviously had some hidden demons, while Roebuck was engulfed in a moment of madness. Another that springs to mind is poor old wrestler Chris Benoit who hung himself after killing his wife and son. On the surface they had it all - fame, money, popularity.....but I guess those things don't complete the package.
As I mentioned, the recent string of sporting deaths have made me think about things. My conclusion is that whatever you do with your life, it is ultimately going to be just as important as what Michael Jordan did with his. Just Do It!
R.I.P.....Tragic
