There is one man in sport who defies convention to such an extent that his actions can only be seen as revolutionary. One man who has become so unfathomably dire in his field that his actions can only be accounted for if they are intentional and visionary. One man who goes out of his way to make everyone around him look like shining beacons of a sport so flooded with talent that it is losing its only purpose - to entertain. That man is Titus Bramble.
Titus's Maoist, vehemently disestablishment leanings assemble themselves in his total and unambiguous refusal to 'play football'. In the current climate of overpaid superstars and players wresting the reigns of control away from managers and referees, his viewpoint is a refreshing refrain and an inspiration. Reminding us of a young Cantona (where Cantona showed the world how football should be played, Titus tirelessly and remorselessly demonstrates how it shouldn't. Can'tona, if you will) this young man conducts himself with enough humility to come to the conclusion that he has no right to make a challenge for the ball, or chose the right pass, or stay on his feet. For he alone knows that the good of the sport must come at his own expense. With scant disregard for his own reputation or well-being, he chooses anarchy over conformism, a foul over a tackle, an own goal over a clearance, the wrong choice over the right. Titus battles alone against a dark vision of the future - a cavalcade of endless talent drowning a once simple sport in their boundless skill and pin-point passing. To these 'professionals' Titus Bramble forever turns his back and says, "No, I will do it my way. I will do it the wrong way."
Can he stay on his feet while those around him remain on theirs? No, he can't. Can he justify his mountainous wage with the skills and prowess a professional footballer needs to succeed? No he can't. Can he pass a single game without performing at least one bemusing sacrificial error so as to leave his team mates utterly confused, but comparatively blameless? No, quite simply, he can't.
But ask any sports fan if this man can instil a seed of hope within all those who sit in pubs up and down the land and exclaim, "I'm sure I'm better than him"? And their answer will be unanimous: yes, he can.
Titus Bramble. Maoist. Martyr. Miscreant. Entertainer. King of YouTube. And, if the definition of being a good sportsman is to put the reputations of others above your own and to bring a sliver of hope to a host of failed and aging footballers across the land, then Titus Bramble is sportsman of the decade.
Ironically this was in reply to who should be sports personality of the year.
He gets my vote.
