The power of passion

Earlier this week, Sir Bobby Robson sadly lost his long fight against cancer. So many tributes have been paid to him by so many that I could not possibly say anything that has not already been said. However, I would like to explore a little about the word that I heard most used by those who were remembering and paying tribute to him - that word was passion.

Passion, meaning 'great enthusiasm' oozes from people who truly enjoy what they do and in so doing they exhibit an energy and vibrancy that is there for all to see. This is captured prefectly by George Caulkin in The Times when he says "To the end, he carried with him a sense of enchantment; wonder that life had offered him such a rich experience, disbelief that people should love him and venerate him in the way they did......He was defined by energy, enthusiasm and curiosity."

Another individual who showed these characteristics this summer was Ian McGeechan, at 66 a spring chicken compared to Sir Bobby. McGeechan, for many, is the embodiment of all the good things that the British Lions stand for. Despite losing the recent test series against the Springboks, there has been universal acclaim for the way that he has re-established amongst each player what it means to be a Lion and the responsibilities that they have to wear the shirt with pride and to perpetuate the Lions' ethos.

We therefore have 2 examples of men of 76 and 66 who have retained their boyish enthusiasm for the sports that they truly love. Such was this passion that you get the feeling that they would have done their respective jobs for nothing. They are beacons in a world in which increasingly self interest and money rule and hopefully there will be many young sportspeople starting out on their journeys who will select Sir Bobby Robson and Ian McGeechan as role models because of their enduring passion for their sports and the impact that both men have had on the wider community at large. Both are hugely respected and admired not only in the UK but also overseas and not only by football and rugby people but also by people from all walks of life. What legacies!