George Best, RIP

Matra1

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George Best, who died on Friday, was the greatest British soccer player of his generation, and according to Pele the best player he'd ever seen. (Yes, even better than Freddie Adu!)


Sadly, Best, like so many Ulstermen, had a drinking problemmost of his life. His death at age 59 due to alcoholism complications was no surprise.


For those Americans unfamiliar with him (though he did play a few years in the old NASL - LA, San Jose, Tampa) Best was as famous and notorious an athletein the British Isles as Muhammad Ali was in America. Best was the first real sports celebrity Britain ever had (he was known as the "Fifth Beatle"). I only saw two references on US and Canadian television to his passing and they both emphasised his celebrity status and drinking problems - his astonishing accomplishments in his sport were barely mentioned.


Although it is fair to say that Best threw it all away due to his destructive off the field activities he never resorted to blaming others for his downfall. His defenders often pointed to the alcoholism that seems to run in his family (his mother also died due to alcoholism) but Best, uncharacteristicallyfor our times, never resorted to victimology. He made it clear he'd only himself to blame.


In his earlier career he did a little bit of what we now know as showboating. But Best did it in a slightly ironic way and unlike present day stars never showed disrespect forhisopponents or teammates. He also respected the fans often staying around for hours after a match to sign autographs.


Many of his best performances were for his country, Northern Ireland - a team with virtually no chance of success and in gamesthe players didn't even get paid for. He even encouraged his fellow Northern Irish Protestants to cheer on the mostly Catholic Republic of Ireland team at times, even though as a teenager Best was often targetted for assaultby Catholic kids - he had to pass through a Catholic neighbourhood in his identifiably Protestant school uniform.


He led Manchester United to the European Cup and English league championships, scored178 goals, and was named was named European Footballer of the Year in 1968.


Everyone in America (and Canada) knows who Pele and Mia Hamm are, and many have heard of Freddie Adu. I just thought the passing of George Best, one of the greatestever playersof the world's most popular sport ,deserved some mention.
 

Lance Alworth

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I'm suprised his death got any mention at all here in the states. I'm a big fan of English football, and even though there are a lot of blacks, it is one of the few sports that is seemingly free of the caste system. Unfortunately most americans could give a rats ass about the sport. Basketball and the life of a "playa" are far more important
smiley11.gif
 

Bart

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Matra1 said:
Best was the first real sports celebrity Britain ever had (he was known as the "Fifth Beatle").


He must have been a fabulous soccer player but I think Pete Best was known as the Fifth Beatle.
 

Matra1

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Bart said:
Matra1 said:
Best was the first real sports celebrity Britain ever had (he was known as the "Fifth Beatle").


He must have been a fabulous soccer player but I think Pete Best was known as the Fifth Beatle.


I understand what you mean Bart but in 1960s Britain "fifth Beatle" meant George, not Pete, Best. George Best had a similar haircut to the Beatles and he had as great an impact on Britain at the time. Here's CNN - "When Best was the 'Fifth Beatle'


[url]http://www.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/europe/11/25/uk.best.star.reut /[/url]


I'm guessing here but I don't think Pete Best became famous for being an ex-Beatle until later on - perhaps not until after the Beatles split up and books were written about them. Obviously though in America, where soccer isn't that big, "fifth Beatle" means Pete.
 

Matra1

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I found this article about George Best's experience in the USA


http://www.yanks-abroad.com/content.php?mode=extratime&i d=001279


From the link: At his first press conference, Best told reporters with a smile that rather than him being the 'White Pele' as suggested, the great Brazilian was in fact 'The Black George Best.'


I've no idea if Pele got more attention than Best because of his race. It could've been because the former was playing in New York where your media is mostly based.



Edited by: Matra1
 

Bart

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Matra1 said:
I understand what you mean Bart but in 1960s Britain "fifth Beatle" meant George, not Pete, Best. George Best had a similar haircut to the Beatles and he had as great an impact on Britain at the time.


As Johnny Carson would say, " I did not know that."
 
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