Sonny Bill Williams is a gentleman that any club would be lucky to have.
He convinced me of this with his generosity towards a young fan on the weekend, giving away his World Cup medal without a second thought.
That kind of display is invaluable to any sporting team. It is a ‘money can’t buy’ asset that few athletes possess and while he may have gifts on the field, I would say this is still more important.
In a world where more and more often our sporting heroes disgrace and disappoint us on a seemingly regular basis, Sonny gave most people without a heart of stone something to smile about.
He gave that fan something he will never forget, and in a singular moment showed what he was all about.
While many players in many sports give back and give much, this was above and beyond the call of duty.
It shows he is for the fans, he is for doing the right thing and representing people in a way that doesn’t look as if he is being forced, or merely doing what he is obligated but rather as a human being he just genuinely likes to make people happy.
As a fan I don’t necessarily want the best players in the world, I want them to be the best people.
Because they are people you can cheer for, the people you want to see succeed and can get behind. They remind you as a fan that you are important and that aside for the money, fame and fortune they respect why they are their and they want to share their success.
Sonny Bill Williams is at the very least something positive to write home about at a time where it forever seems easier to write something negative or critical.
He’s not perfect, he’ll always have his doubters after what he did at the Bulldogs. But at the very least he is doing his best, and that is more than you can say of plenty of athletes and plenty of other people.
Brainstrust
Guest
Sonny Bill Williams he might be a nice bloke, but really over marketered player who is only a ball playing rugby league forward, not a rugby back or forward.And even in rugby league he is fairly lazy and really of no use any more. II don't see him being much value in the 7's either; his main value is drawing Australian crowds and rating in rugby while helping the All Blacks lose.
Rollaway7
Guest
Was that you this morning Jethro? Good work mate, I told my son now that is a brave man.
Jethro
Guest
Yes it turned out OK this time but the kid broke the rules in a dangerous situation and gets rewarded - what precedent does that set. Geez I train surfed this morning and that went OK so it must be allright for thousands of other kids to do it....
Eddie
Guest
If, if, if. Jeez, cut the feel good story some slack. It could've been all those things-it wasn't!
Jemima
Guest
I fear the RL tabloids will make SBW the story of the RWC and set a precedent for every kid to run on the field at the end of every game. Good luck to the kid that runs onto the field after the NRL GF next year and cops a heavy fine.
Brisdragon
Guest
Ask Monica Seles if she is a fan of "discretionary powers". The kid broke the rules. The bloke did his job. Why does someone get a medal, when the rules say you get a life ban?
The Brown
Guest
Thanks for the support "Jemima" and "breakdown", I am just astounded in how almost every single article relating to this, they simply gloss over the fact that this kid broke the rules (rules that have been in place for specific reasons e.g. Monica Seles - thanks Jemima, and current "lone wolf terrorist activity"). If this kid ran onto the field with a weapon and did damage to a player, would the headline be "young fan" or would it be "security breakdown at RWC final"...........then their would be an inquiry.............then the already tough security laws would be escalated............then we'd be watching the RWC2019 tournament from behind barb wire................and not being allowed to drink alcohol........................is that a world we want to live in? Personally I think not.
breakdown
Guest
agree...I want to know what mum or dad were doing and why they allowed their child to run onto the field... or indeed raised a boy to think he could do that. My son would be grounded for the rest of his natural life if he ran onto the field at the end of a game. There are rules. We don't get to choose which ones we have to stick to. We all know a team of security guards have the combined intellect of 1 complete normal person so why test them? They have 1 standing order. 'apprehend intruders'. They are just doing their job and we are getting into difficult territory if we confuse them with words like 'discretion'. Frankly I want my security guards to just smash anything that comes their way. That's what is best for everyone. well everyone that sticks to the rules. Which they should. as for the poster re Federer. Why should your son not have to follow the rules? why is he so special? What if every spoilt child got to do whatever they wanted whenever they felt they wanted to do it.... the world would be full of Nick Kyrgios'.. now that is not a world I want to be a part of.
Jemima
Guest
The Brown - you are right - he (or his parents) should be fined like every other pitch invader - in this world of terrorism and security issues how come this kid gets a free pass - remember Monica Seles and other idiots who have invaded pitches and tackled players or refs - he was a kid but there are no exceptions - should we let all kids on the field? - its not a long stretch that terrorists in some countries have used kids as suicide bombers. In Brief manages to stereotype every security guard who are only doing the job they are instructed to do. If he hadn't have done something he would have been fired..
In Brief
Guest
Come on, the security guards aren't the 'good guys' you make out. They are over zealous and love the opportunity to smash the kids, for whom sport means so much. . similar thing happened to my son trying to get an autograph from Roger Federer. The security do not understand the concept of discretionary powers. Luckily for my son he was able to meet Roger Federer at the Davis Cup in Sydney when Fed was equally as gracious as SBW was here.
The Brown
Guest
Well done SBW on his act of kindness. Yes, he's matured a lot and seems like a decent bloke than the one that walked out on the Bulldogs. What I don't understand is the fact that everyone is calling this kid a "young fan", everywhere else in the world they are referred to as "pitch invaders". The poor security guard who has done his job by trying to stop people jumping the fence and getting near the players has been labelled as "over reactive", which is a real shame. I know the kid was young, but in the split second the security guard had to make a decision..............he made the correct one. What message has this sent to all other "young fans" around the world? Jump the fence, break the rules and be rewarded. I am confused..............
Lindsay Amner
Roar Guru
If there was ever a sportsman role model to be able to aspire to follow and look up to, SBW is it. He made a couple of poor choices in his younger days but has now a well rounded maturity that I admire beyond words. I could not do the things he does without thought. I could not possibly have given away my medal in that situation, i could not give the time he freely gives to kids organisation and I could not emulate his humility or genorosity to family and friends. I am not usually impressed by sportmen as people, but Sonny Bill Williams is in a different league and the only sportsman worldwide that I admire more as a man than as a player - and I think he's close to being the greatest player on the planet.
wardad
Guest
The culture of 'no dickheads' and being decent men first and foremost obviously works . I hope the ABs never change their culture for anyone no exceptions ever.. KPM I would say that 30 is just the right age for a 12 to be hitting his straps eh ?
kingplaymaker
Roar Guru
SBW will presumably start at 12 for the next 4 years with Nonu retired. At 30 it's a little old for his best time but this will probably be it.
Homer
Guest
Ca3Zar - you're right. SBW had a rocky start to the ABs. He was fickle in his choice of employers at the start of his career and with apparently the same manager as Quade Cooper I wondered how good his team of advisors were. But he's made good choices for a while now and looks set to be a role model as well as a great player. Can't wait for the Olympic 7s to see him play on an open field.
CA3ZAR
Roar Pro
I believe being in an environment of the All Blacks, being taken under the wisdom of Hansen and co. Williams has understood truly what humility is, he has shown it throughout his career, but being involved with the All Blacks culture I believe enhanced it and I think he's amazing!