Football can be a cruel sport
Scott Norwood's missed field goal attempt against the Giants in Super Bowl XXV is probably the most vivid example of how fate can change a team's fortunes and a man's career.
But yesterday, there was another cruel football moment that another young athlete and his team will have to live with for a long, long time. 
His name is John Terry and he plays for the Chelsea Football Club. (That's soccer, to us Yanks.)
Yesterday, during the European Champions League final against venerable Manchester United, he slipped a flubbed a penalty kick that would have won the game for Chelsea. Norwood's moment will forever be remembered as "wide right." Same cruel fate for Terry.
And already, the fallout has begun. In the age of the Internet, the teasing is both creative and instantaneous.
This pic was sent along by our British soccer pal "Mitch," with whom we've played many a match with our aging group of has-beens and - in my case - never weres.
Anyway, here's a terrific article on Terry's sad moment written by former Newsday columnist Chuck Culpepper, who was covering the game for the Los Angeles Times.
Chuck now lives in England and has written extensively on soccer.
I ran into Chuck on the "tube" leaving the Giants-Dolphins game in London last October.
That was the trip on which I got to see Mr. Terry's Chelsea mates drub Manchester City in a memorable trip to Chelsea's home pitch. Terry was injured at the time.
Hang in, mate.
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Comments (8)
Soccer?
Invitation to watch The NHL on Versus at my house is hereby cancelled.
Some day I'll wax poetic on why Soccer is the harbinger of the downfall of the American Civilization.
I thought that guy was Evgeni Malkin taking a penalty shot vs. the Rangers!! How pathetic that was. I can't believe a sport will finish their major championship game with shootouts to determine the final score. they should play until they drop like every other sport.
Islander505:
Yes, I admit it. I'm a soccer nut, too. Sorry. Enjoy the game.
Sandy:
I COMPLETELY agree. I despite penalty kicks as a way to determine a winner, especially at that level.
"they should play until they drop like every other sport."
Only if one considers soccer a sport........and not an extension of socialism.
I find it interesting that we all agree that team sports should never be determined by a single individual effort.
Can you imagine baseball where if the teams are tied after 9 innings they determine the outcome by a home run hitting contest?
Let's Gooooooo Pens!
1960
Bill Mazeroski
corked bat
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