Professional footballers, and to an extent professional sportsmen, are always criticised for being poor role models. Drunken misdemeanours, foul play on and off the pitch, orgies on front pages of the tabloids, drugs, cheating on and off the pitch, shirking responsibilities, greed, lack of commitment . . . the list could go on, and on, and on, and on, and on. And then on some more. And of course every man and his dog has the right to point their finger (or paw) and highlight their personal deficiencies and why they are not fit to wear the shirt they are paid handsomely to do so. And then when pointing the finger isn't enough why not just tar them all with the same brush.
Every once in a while though it's worth remembering that they don't all devote their free time to stamping on the halos we once presented them with. And then there are those who rise from the ashes of burnt bridges with fans to restore faith and make everyone a little reassured and restore the faith of their thousands of followers.
And then there is Stiliyan Petrov.
I remember the day the public were told of Petrov's illness. The shock, the sadness and the surrealism that someone so physically fit in the public eye could be so ill. The there was the emotional round of applause as he sat on the balcony at Aston Villas's next home game against Chelsea. There was then the 19th minute applause at home matches for the remainder of the season that home and away fans stood to support. But overall there is the dignity 'Stan' always maintained. He battled his illness with positivity and in his own impeccable manner. Once he had beaten his illness he then set up the Petrov Foundation to support others struck down by the disease. The man formed his legendary status in ways beyond what should be expected of any person of any walk of life.
The timing of my first diagnosis of cancer came at the same time that Petrov returned to the public eye. As my battle picked up pace, his came full circle and he returned to to training with the Aston Villa first-team. Inspirational doesn't quite cover it. I recalled how dignified he was in earliest days of his battle and used this as a model for my own approach. News of his attempts to return to a playing role was the perfect example for me in my time of need. It demonstrated how far positivity and determination could get you. Seeing him in his training gear and joining the team on tour further generated my own optimism and dertermination. He became the flag bearer for hope and the symbol of conquering disease. Seeing a man who was once as ill as myself now lacing up his boots once again was an image to spur me on even more as I looked forward to the unknown and ever growing obstacles.
In the end Petrov didn't earn a professional contract but it was almost irrelevant. He had already shone a light far brighter than the floodlights that stand above the Villa Park pitch he once graced. He became a leader with a much greater reach than the fantastic team captain he had once been.
Now more than ever, the world needs heroes. Now more than ever, sports needs heroes. One day before I go back in to hospital for more surgery, I need heroes.
Thank you Stan!
