All around the world, footballers are loved and adored by
people of all ages. They are idolised, admired and hero worshipped. Their names
are printed on the back of replica kits, so that young boys and girls can imitate
their heroes.
In an age, where the top players can earn millions of pounds
for simply kicking a ball around, they also take on a responsibility for those
that love them. One such player who took his responsibility as a role model to
another level, was Jermain Defoe. At the match between Sunderland and Everton the Premier
League, a young boy named Bradley Lowery met his hero – the star striker Defoe. That moment, Defoe went further than most footballers meeting mascots. The footballer and the young fan made a friendship which united
football fans and people in general, with the love which was clearly apparent
between the pair.
Bradley had been fighting a battle with a form of cancer
named Neuroblastoma since he was 18months old. Having beaten the disease once,
he was in remission for a number of years before it returned in 2016. His
family battled and campaigned to raise vital funds to send him to the US for life
saving treatment, but they were given the heart-breaking news that his illness
was terminal. So the family vowed to continue to fundraise, and make a
foundation in Bradley’s name, to help with the fight for other families affected.
Part of the fundraising campaign included Bradley becoming a match day mascot
at his beloved Sunderland football club, where he would meet his favourite
player Jermain Defoe.
Bradley led the team out on multiple occasions, always
holding Defoe’s hand. At times when he was clearly feeling weak, Defoe would
carry the little boy in his arms. In the match against Chelsea, he was photographed with
the team, and scored a goal which won the ‘Goal of the Month’
competition on the iconic show ‘Match of The Day’. Sunderland players visited
Bradley in hospital, with one instance the little boy falling asleep cuddling
his hero in bed. Other football clubs and fans offered their support, with
Everton donating £200k to the fund to fight for his life, and he was a mascot
for them in their match against Manchester City, wearing a Sunderland shirt
with ‘Thank You Everton’ on the back.
Coinciding with Defoe’s recall to the England national side,
the Football Association invited Bradley be a mascot for the national side.
Captain Joe Hart stepped aside and invited Defoe and Bradley to lead the team
out at Wembley Stadium. During this time, some beautifully poignant photographs
were taken, of Bradley shielding his ears from the noise of the 90,000 crowd
singing the national anthem, and turning to hug Defoe. Defoe states that this
was a huge honour, and something which was truly special for him in his football
career.
After the news broke that Bradley wouldn’t be able to win
this fight, Defoe attended his birthday party, and continued to give love and
support to the boy and his family, and continued his hospital visits.
As a father, the story continues to choke me up. To see the
love that was genuinely shared between the two is humbling. The way that Bradley looked at Jermain; it was a form of escapism for him. I wonder if Defoe
will ever truly know the effect that his love, time, generosity and friendship
had on Bradley and his family. Bradley pulled on the heartstrings of the nation.
His smile was infectious, and the photos and videos that appeared of him in the
football environment, showed a boy who for those moments forgot his was deeply
ill. He was able to be the star for a short time, removed from the days spent
in hospital. Defoe often said he felt the matches were more special knowing
Bradley was in attendance. I am sure for Bradleys family, any time Jermain was able to give to Bradley, was every so more special seeing their little boy's eyes light up once again. Any parent would do anything to take away the pain, and for those moments, I am sure Defoe was able to do that for them, and help their son. It truly brings tears to your eyes to listen to the way Defoe spoke about the friendship. It was real. It wasn't because the PR team at the club told him to do so. It was raw love, raw emotion, raw human instinct in wanting to love and help someone.
Bradley sadly died on July 7th, surrounded by his
loving family. Social media accounts of footballers and football clubs offered
their condolences and best wishes to the family. After Bradley passed away,
Defoe tweeted: “Goodbye my friend, gonna miss you lots. I feel so blessed God
brought you into my life and had some amazing moments with you and for that I'm
so grateful. I'll never ever forget the
way you looked at me for the first time, the genuine love in those cute eyes.
Really finding it hard to express what you mean to me.”
Thousands of mourners lined the route to his funeral, where
attendees including Defoe, wore football shirts, with his name on the back,
with a message on social media that Football Had No Colours, meaning the
football world would come together to remember this brave little boy. His
favourite superheroes were in attendance, and balloons were released to the sky.
Although there are hundreds and thousands of gravely ill
children around the country who do not get the level of attention that Bradley
received, Bradley was able to raise awareness for many of them. His legacy will
inspire many people and his foundation has raised hundreds of thousands of
pounds, which will go into helping those families. Events are being hosted in
his honour, including a celebrity football match at Everton’s Goodison Park
ground. Additionally Sunderland donated a corporate box for each match to a
family who are going through these struggles, so that the ill child can have
this great experience.
To make a contribution visit www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/bradleylowerysfight
In a time where astronomical figures are being spent for footballers, with their earnings and responsibilities in the spotlight, when compared with more everyday life hero's such as those in the Emergency services, it is great to see the human side of the sport.
Such love, such compassion, such emotion, such support.
RIP Bradley.
You touched the nation with your strength and your smile. You united football fans throughout the country. My thoughts and deepest sympathies are with your family, friends and your 'best mate' Jermain Defoe, the hero who showed us his human side.
