[Football] Arise Sir Dave

[Happy Exile]

I quite like him. People I know who have worked with both of him and his wife (mostly him, in charity work) have nothing but positive impressions that he genuinely cares and is interested in the charitable causes he supports (though some of his commercial decisions like Qatar obviously don’t help). I don’t think it got as much publicity as Mata donating 1% of his salary but for example Beckham got paid nothing by PSG, the millions all went to Paris children’s charities. It’s easy to be cynical about that too I’m sure, but it makes a difference, he didn’t have to do it, and that matters I think.

The other famous person I’ve only heard glowing praise for about charity work alongside some others who are far less engaged, is Camilla, who also gets a lot of acrimony. Humans are nuanced, odd, and inconsistent and I’d much rather we recognise that and celebrate the good things done than have unrealistic expectations of lifelong perfection and get the pitchforks out when people fall short. Not everything is excusable but he’s far from evil.

That said, I’d do away with the honours system.

 

[DJ NOBO]

The honours system should be exclusively about recognising the unsung heroes who quietly serve their communities.
But if you’re going to honour rich, famous celebs then Beckham is more deserving than most.
He presents this country in a positive light and as a footballer, never dodged a call-up.

 

[drew]

It's funny, because that does sound rather like you're suggesting being pretty good at football is more of an achievement than, let's say, a primary school teacher who's spent 30 years working in an inner city school, or a social worker dealing with abused and neglected children every day, or a surgeon performing life-saving cardiac procedures.

I would ask if the the teacher or the social worker you refer to are leaders in their particular field? I'd also suggest you check out the honours lists and you will see that that leaders/innovators in those fields do receive honours anyway.

For example:-
Queen honours Teachers and Social Workers

 

[SweatyMexican]

Who?

 

[Wardy's twin]

Some people are easily fooled , did some good things in football but the rest of his life has been all about 'me' and sometimes his wife.