Who are the players? When you are inside a sport, you know. You train and compete with your own comrades often, so that is easy. You get to know them well.
However, over time, you also get to know the enemy. You play against them and gradually get to know them also, on the field and off.
You know which ones have good hearts. You learn who cheats a bit and who is a dirty player. You soon get to know the ones that have tempers. Some players, you learn, cannot discuss anything else except the sport itself. Some can hardly do that and remain mysteries. You get to learn that some players have surprising hobbies, like art or collecting antique furniture. I’m serious.
Some are never without a book. Some have not read a book since school. Some have no interest in politics or current affairs. Without even realizing it, when you are a current player you get to know just who the players are. Some you like, some you don’t. You take it for granted. Then, when you and your contemporaries retire, it all changes.
You might be involved with the media for a while and have some contact, but it is just not the same. The days when players trusted the media and when media respected privacy or reputation have long gone. The facades and defenses are up and getting behind them, really behind them, is almost impossible.
It is a tense relationship at best. So much media coverage now, especially of the social kind, is also so shallow or patently such nonsense that you almost don’t bother with it. As you get older you still watch, but the combatants are virtually unknown except by name and appearance.
It is strange. It is very different and strange. The other day I watched a Premier League Legends insert on TV. It was about former Arsenal goalkeeper David Seaman. He had been a fixture for years at Highbury and afterwards, the insert employed a simple but effective convention .
An artist cartooned and also described in single words events from his career. Seaman spoke about them and so did old teammates and opponents. It was terrific. It was simple and honest and fascinating. I had never known that Seaman was from Rotherham, up north, and had been on the books of Leeds United. He had been let go at 19 and cried his eyes out.
Queens Park Rangers picked him up and he impressed Bob Wilson, the old Arsenal goalkeeper from the 1960s and 1970s, and was bought by the Gunners He immediately made his mark under George Graham. Then came the young Arsene Wenger and the French Revolution. Through the sound bites and action, you learnt just how good Seaman was.
Peter Schmeichel talked you through his talent. Praise from him is serious. Seaman came across as a regular, modest guy as well, with a good sense of humour. His trademark ponytail was a particular source of fun. He played until he was 39 and suddenly he didn’t want to do it anymore. The end.
Watching the insert brought the realization of how few of our sports stars we really know as people. A fascinating mini documentary doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive or complicated. I’d love to see something similar involving our legends. I feel I now know David Seamen. I would like to know more South African stars.
* Robbie is a former British Lions, Ireland and Transvaal scrumhalf