In today’s world it is not enough to be good at something. Unfortunately to capture people’s imagination you have to be outstanding, sensational, and any number of other adjectives.
However there is a noun that is frequently used, and sadly it has resulted in the word being devalued.
We all understand that sporting bodies are all vying for attention and that is why every press conference now is either a “special announcement” or a “major Announcement” but please be more discerning before attaching the word “Legend” to individuals.
“Legend” actually refers to a person who is an “extremely famous or notorious person, especially in a particular field.”
Pele, is a Legend. Don Bradman is a Legend. Michael Jordan, Muhammed Ali and Roger Federer can also all be classed as Legends. Even Usain Bolt, but as a sprinter and not a footballer!
Navratilova, Nicklaus, Babe Ruth and Richie McCaw, these too are Legends.
To be a “Legend” is to be in exalted company.
Of course these “Legends” mentioned are global sporting icons. You do not have to have a global appeal to be a “legend.” There are national and club Legends. Athletes who have been accorded legendary status because of their feats with one club. They may not be known outside of that city, town or State. Yet their performances are forever linked to that one club and live on long after they have left the field of play for the last time.
Of course there are also those athletes who are “Legends” because of their notoriety. Snooker player Alex “Hurricane” Higgins is one who could fall into that category. Robin Friday the footballer is another. You could also say that Boxer Mike Tyson is better known now for his acts outside the ring than in, Tonya Harding for events off the ice rather than on it. Are they legends because of their notoriety? To some they will be, to others they ceased to be afforded legendary status because of their actions.
Hopefully though the picture is becoming clear. That to be classified a Legend you must have done extraordinary things to be afforded such status. In fact usually to become a Legend you need to have expressed three key qualities. You need to have performed consistently over an extended period of time. You need to have had success, to have won things personally or for your club or country. You need to have had that “x” factor, something that made you stand out from the rest. It may have been your demeanour on and off the pitch, your humility or your bravado, the confidence you exude. It is something that all those mentioned have or had, but all in their own way.
Too often today we see the word used to big-up a person’s status. Earlier this year one press report stated that former Socceroos goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer was a “Chelsea Legend” when he was in Perth to promote their match against Perth Glory. A Socceroos Legend, or a Middlesborough Legend maybe, but certainly not a Chelsea Legend. After all he only played four games for the London club.
This week we saw it happen again with Manchester United’s Ronny Johnsen in town to promote his former team’s visit next year. With all due respect to Johnsen who was part of the famous treble-winning squad in 1999, and when signed by United was the most expensive Norwegian defender to be signed in football, but in all honesty is he seriously a “Legend?”
He had some memorable games but fell short of playing 100 games for United. Would his status be greater than the likes of Beckham, Scholes, Butt, Yorke, Cole, Giggs or Cantona? All of whom have a strong case to be labelled a “Legend” by United fans.
To be called a “Legend” must be special. If we start calling every player who played in a team that achieved success a “Legend” then the meaning becomes watered down.
Sadly no matter what the sport, whether its a team game or an individual playing against the best, there are some whose talent is greater than the rest. These are the men and women who deserve to be remembered and referred to as “Legends,” and no one else.
