Sporting Rebound

We are now into our second week of the European Championships (Euro 2020), which was delayed a year due to the Covid-19 pandemic. As always we have been privileged to see gripping performances, fantastic play and epic goals. But what struck me the most is the solidarity and sportsmanship shown by players and fans following the on-the-field collapse of Danish attacking midfielder Christian Eriksen on June 12 during a first-round game against Finland. Everyone on on the field and around the world was stunned. Thankfully, he has recovered and is undergoing continuing treatment at the hospital. 

What has followed has truly been inspirational. Finland captain Tim Sparv expressed his concern following the incident. He and his team wore warm-up shirts in support of Eriksen. Even though I cannot speak or read Danish, I intuited that  "Hele Danmark er med dig, Christian" (a large sign displayed by Danish fans) meant "All of Denmark is with you, Christian". The power of empathy and solidarity is truly amazing. For me, this is the beauty of sports. They can overcome linguistic barriers and extricate the best of humanity from the deepest recesses of our current selves. I was moved when after the moment that Eriksen collapsed Finnish and Danish fans chanted his name from one side of the stadium to the other. When the Danish team returned to the field, emotionally devastated, the Finnish team stood and applauded them. I have always enjoyed the "guard of honor" which we have seen football (soccer) teams has used to show respect for opposing players and coaches. But this gesture touched me. I wish all sports could showcase humanity like this. 

Kevin De Bruyne

But the most endearing and sincere gesture came from Belgium and super star Kevin De Bruyne. Just before the game began, Belgium's Jan Vertonghen presented Denmark with a Belgian shirt covered with signatures from the Belgian players encased in a frame. This is pure class.  But for me the most poignant moment came when Kevin De Bruyne scored the goal that won the game for his team and broke the hearts of millions of Danes. Instead of engaging in a wild celebration, De Bruyne displayed no open exhilaration and extorted his teammates not to show up the opposition. He did this out of respect for the Danish team and their fans. This is what being a great sportsman is all about. I follow Burnley and De Bruyne and his Manchester City teammates frequently wallop that team in the Premier League, but I tip my hat to him. He is class and we need more people like him in this world. 

And then we have Bo Schemblecher, who was coach of the University of Michigan football team from 1968-1990. Recent revelations by his son Matt accuse a former university team doctor of sexually abusing him and that his father, Bo, did nothing about it. Now amidst this scandal, some former University of Michigan football players have started a petition to defend the now deceased coach's legacy. We have seen a similar reaction in wake of the firing of Pennsylvania State University's (American) football coach Joe Paterno for his failure to act to prevent the abuse of young boys by one of his coaches.  I have always had misgivings about how sports-centric the US has become. But now it appears that sports allegiance has superseded morals and ethical values in our society.

Football (soccer) is far from perfect, but it is more likely to provide shining moments that remind us that we have more in common that we acknowledge. Right now, in Europe they are celebrating humanity, while on "our side of the pond" we celebrate celebrity.