George Best

     George Best was one of the best footballers in the world, comparable to even Pele, Johan Cruyff, and Diego Maradona. However, his mercurial genius and magical skill were overshadowed by a wild self destructive streak that would lead him to quit top level football at only 26 and to his death eventually in 2005.From an early age, Best was obsessed with football, even taking a football to bed with him for many years, and he would spend all day playing and running through the streets dribbling a tennis ball to help his skills. Each Christmas, he would receive the same present; a new football, kit and football boots. But the local team and talent scouts continually overlooked and rejected him for being too small and skinny to make it to the professional game.His dreams soon began to fade when he left school at fifteen to become a printer's apprentice. Less than a week later, Manchester United Scout, Bob Bishop, spotted Best and telegrammed Sir Matt Busby with the famous words: "I believe I've found you a genius." Despite playing for Manchester United, and being pivotal to their European glory, he would never grace the major international tournaments of the World Cup or European Championship as he played for Northern Ireland. One can only Imagine how much greater his recognition would be if someone so uniquely talented had played for Brasil, England, or even Manchester United now, ( With today's media coverage). As friend Michael Parkinson wrote, the biggest tragedy around Best's life, was that no one knew what he was totally capable of. George Best's outside life was lined with paralytic TV appearances, bankruptcy, occasional abusive and violent outbursts including assaulting a police officer, a jail sentence for drunk driving, two divorces, being rushed to the hospital, exc. It is a pity that for many he will be better remembered for his lifestyle off the pitch rather than the maverick football player Pele saluted as the best player in the world. Those who saw him will never forget his magic. As Best said, " Pele called me the greatest footballer in the world, that is the ultimate salute to my life."