My apoligies for the delay in post these past few weeks, usual excuses...been busy, etc.
Bearing in mind that the events almost a fortnight ago at White Hart Lane served as a reminded to all sportsfans of the fragility of all things and thus an attempt at a light-hearted whimsical piece of prose didn't seem right at all.
Everything has already been said about Muamba in all media forms so it goes without saying that we all hope to see him back of the field of play in some capactiy down the line.
What was more remarkable about the ensuing days was the speed and grace at which the footballing community banded together. For so long in the past and in particular this season the headlines have read like the scenes for a soap opera.
Its especially amazing to see what can be achieved when football doesn't bicker with each other and just gets along. Such was the 'din' at the Reebok last week from both sets of fans it what was also an excellent match of which Muamba would've been proud to have been a part of...albeit from his hospital bed.
Muamba tweets this picture of himself recovering...still smiling!
Whilst Muamba and his recovery has been in the forefront of everyones mind there has been a major sport (well sort of) ocurring on other continents that has somewhat been brushed off the back pages.
Formula 1's new season opened a fortnight ago with the Melbourne GP, followed by round 2 in Malaysia a week later. Yes I'm aware that not being on at a sensible hour means many miss the opening gambits of the 2012 season but there has been some interesting developments (even for a non-motorsporter like myself).
Great to see Kimi Raikkonen has pulled himself away from the Vodka luge, rallying and snow-mobile racing and decided to get paid millions to Vodka luge, snow-mobile race and drive F1's this year instead. Still worth it for his scintilating press conferences with excellent in depth analysis from the Finn.
'Are you ok to drive Kimi?'
McLaren seemed to have pulled their fingers out this year which poses a new conundrum for them and many of us...Button or Hamilton?
This got me thinking about how us as sportsfans determine who we want to win?
We all support through different subcategories; nationality (we want our country to win, or our golfer, tennis player, etc), territory (our local team, local player, etc) generational (we grew up following/supporting) and finally of course by choice.
When these categories either don't exist for us during a sporting event we lean towards the team/player/person,etc that we prefer on a personal level. In a way we judge them based not on their abilities but rather their personality and charcter traits.
Back to the orginal arguement of Button v. Hamilton, both talented drivers, both British, both driving for a British team, what difference? Jenson Button probably isn't a saint, but against Hamilton he's just a nicer chap. Doesn't get stroppy with camermen and reporters, isn't complaining about the car, the team...just getting on with it.
He's humble and that's why we like him.
Messi v. Ronaldo - two players on top of their game, playing in same league for two of the worlds greatest clubs. Yet Messi is by far and away more popular because he doesn't carry on about it, winking at cameras, doing fasion shoots and castrol commercials.
Like chalk and cheese really isn't it?
Warne v Muralitharan - test crickets greatest wicket takers any well...I think you can work that one out for yourselves really.
Wherever you look both recently and in the annuls of sport these comparisons between greats appear and yet we always side with one, everyone does.
Ineveitably you'd rather have a quiet beer with Button, Messi and Muralitharan but if you're wanting a all night bender then Hamilton, Ronaldo and Warne are your type.
Call me old fashioned but I rather fancy a quiet one?
