George Best: His name said it all
By Alun Thomas
The death of George Best, one of the
greatest soccer players in history on November the 25th predictably did not
make significant headlines throughout the United States. While watching ESPN
News one of their headlines was the passing of ÔKarate KidŐ star Pat Morita the
same day, a man who was not a legitimate sportsman but well known for his role
as Mr Miyagi. It shouldnŐt have bothered me that Best was not recognized, but
to overshadow the death of not just a soccer icon, but one of sportŐs overall
legends in favour of a Z grade actor left me inwardly seething. For those that
knew of Best (the rest of the world) and his one of a kind talent the loss is
immeasurable, not because of his boozing and womanizing, but the memories of
his graceful skill, skills that perhaps exceeded Pele and Maradona and if not
surely equaled them.
BestŐs death at 59 was due to total organ
failure. Just two years earlier Best had received a liver transplant to replace
his failed liver destroyed by constant alcoholism. Unable to change his ways
Best continued his drinking which led to his ultimate demise. It was a tragic
way to leave the world stage, but upon news of his death the world concentrated
on his breathtaking skill with a ball rather than his ability with a glass. I
never saw Best play, it was far before my time, but from watching tapes of him
the proof of his prowess is indisputable. Anyone from that era, the sixties and
early seventies will tell you Best was in a class of his own. My father, the
same age as Best, told me that on many occasions. He was there, I believe him.
What Best could do with a ball is beyond almost any human being.
Best was born in 1946 in Belfast, Northern Island. A skinny
youth he was picked up by English giants Manchester United in 1963, his skill
apparent already. From there Best became the most influential footballer of the
decade. Helping the club win the league title twice in 1965 and 1967 and the
European Cup in 1968, Best developed an icon status similar to that of any pop
star of the sixties. The image of Best and his handsome charm, scraggly hair,
stubble and socks pulled down, making mockeries of the opposition is more than
legendary. His extra time demolition of Benfica in the 1968 European Cup Final
is seen as his crowning moment. He was the highest paid star in the sport and
in 1968 was voted English and European Footballer of the year. His lifestyle
revolved around women and wine, with antics and a reputation that make Joe
Namath look like John Elway.
BestŐs unpredictable genius sadly was
never witnessed on the world stage at the World Cup as Northern Island were
incapable of succeeding on BestŐs talent alone. Therefore the world was never
able to see Best against Pele or Beckenbauer. Pele said Best was the best
footballer in the world which according to Best Ôwas enough for me.Ő It all
went sour for Best in the early seventies and he quit the game in 1972, making
frequent comebacks that never belied his talent. Best played in the United
States in the mid seventies to early eighties, which seems to have gone
forgotten by the media here, scoring a goal for San Jose against Tampa Bay in
1981 where he took on the entire side before scoring a classic goal. Best had
an inexhaustible array of tricks up his sleeve and watching opposing players bewildered
is priceless.
BestŐs problems with the bottle ruined
him however, the type of wayward behavior which added to his legend in many
ways. It works that way inevitably. Over the last two decades Best racked up
more incidents than Mike Tyson, but was never reviled for them because he was a
footballing master. People want to remember Best beating defenders at will, not
the Best who couldnŐt overcome his addiction to alcohol. People will never tire
either of his now stale stories of bedding a series of Miss Worlds, as thatŐs
what we want from our heroes. Best did it all before anyone.
Growing up as a soccer fan I came to appreciate Best later in
life, as watching him in action represented the best the sport had to offer.
The art of football, when perfected is the essence of all sport. Best mastered
it to the point of near faultlessness. ItŐs hard to make the average American
understand as soccer here is largely ignored and reviled, but BestŐs fame and
reputation as an athlete worldwide dwarfs a Joe Montana or Dan Marino to the
point where itŐs comical. You might never see him on a SportsCentury episode
but he is bigger than that. As an architect on the pitch he was a true
representation of the beautiful game. In a hundred years he will still be
talked about. That is certain.