Clearly there are things that are very important to us in life. Things like children, marriage, work, church, our homes, our cars, a memorable concert, etc. I too have important components in my life. I have what I call the big 3. It goes my mother, my wife, and United. Most of the time in that order. ;) 1999 was two years after I realized that I could no longer render soccer/football as a useless sport. The Champions League final did not have the complete significance to me then as it does now. When the Green Bay Packers won the Super Bowl, the expectations were so high, that to have finally met them, I was more relieved than anything else. The Timberwolves, Nittany Lions and Wild have not given me the joy of winning a championship, and I don't really expect one soon. Eric Djemba-Djemba, David Bellion, Kleberson, Quinton Fortune and Diego Forlan were signings that made me think that United was never going to win another European trophy during the Alex Ferguson reign. It wasn't until we signed Michael Carrick (odd, huh?) that I thought he was gunning for European success once again. And although it's not quite my wedding day, nor was it the opportunity to spend time with my mother at my graduation party after high school, or even the two weeks that my mother and I were able to travel Europe together, it was one of my happiest days. For that I am truly grateful. (Funny though that I would rather win the Premiership than the European trophy. But the whole world notices this one.)
Dear John,
I don't like your team. I'm not particularly fond of your national team either. (I would much rather the Germans or Dutch pull in a trophy first. Then England can get theirs) I think Steven Gerrard would make a better English captain. And I think that Carvalho plays the centre back position better than you do. Yet on my happiest day, I was still able to generate sympathy for a player on the opposing team. The moment was set up for greatness. John Terry, soon to be a Chelsea legend, will line up for the last PK in the 2008 first all-English European final. The ball was going in the net. Similiar to Michael's last shot as a Chicago Bull. Or Elway's eyes blazing for the endzone against the favored Green Bay Packers. But it didn't happen. You missed. And slipped on the wet pitch. After a few moments of showing United celebrations the camera focused in on your face. Red eyes. Tears streaming. Mr. Terry, that was also hard for me. You and I do have one thing in common. Our passion. You love your blue, the same way I love the sport. If they asked you to play in a reserve match, I have no doubt you would be out there leading that team, the same way I have no problem watching a Bolton-Wigan dandy. Someone once defined you to me as another Tony Adams, just one that cares. I understand that comparison. I understand your tears. And Mr. Terry, I wish you the almost complete happiness someday that I was able to enjoy on May the 21st of the year 2008. Even if it is in that blue jersey.
