Beckham has 'IT'

To most Americans, David Beckham is a flash highly paid soccer player married to a pop singer and fashion diva. Most soccer fans would suggest that his period with LA Galaxy has not set the world on fire, indeed it has to date been a major disappointment.

Beckham’s flare for publicity hides his greatest characteristic. The guy has a world class attitude, strength of character and dedication to his craft that is not unlike that of golfer Tiger Woods. For the uninitiated, Beckham is on a two month loan to Italian soccer giants AC Milan. At 33 years of age, he knows he must prove his fitness to England coach Fabio Capello if he wants to play in the World Cup next summer. Many soccer commentators expected he would be a bit player for Milan. But selected for his first game this Sunday against Roma, he received rave reviews from the Milan manager and his co-players. Even the British press who love nothing better than to bash an icon were hugely impressed.

This is not the first time Beckham has made a comeback. Playing for England against Argentina in the 1998 World Cup quarter-finals, he was sent off for kicking out at an opponent. The tirade of abuse he received from the UK press and soccer ‘fans’ was sickening and there was real fear he would be forced to play abroad. You need to attend an English soccer game to appreciate the venom which opposing fans spew at opposition players. Beckham’s dismissal brought fan frenzy to new heights of profanity laced vitriol. Much of it was directed towards his wife Posh Spice.
Beckham stuck it out and eventually won over the English public.

It was a triumph of perseverance and can do attitude.

Manchester United boss Alex Ferguson eventually tired of Beckham’s high profile and sold him on to Spanish giants Real Madrid where now England boss Capello was installed as boss. After Beckham announced (mid season) he would be signing for LA Galaxy at season end, Capello famously announced that Beckham would never play for Madrid again. Beckham sucked it up, worked tirelessly and eventually forced a rare u-turn from Capello. The resilient Englishman played a vital part in Madrid ultimately winning the Spanish championship.

It was a triumph of perseverance and can do attitude. And now he has done it again in Milan.

Beckham has achieved much. He has achieved this because of talent and ‘IT.’

‘IT’ is perseverance and can do attitude.
‘IT’ is what we can all benefit from.
‘IT’ is what we all need in these trying times.
‘IT’ is what will help you.

Perseverance and can do attitude – how do you rate?

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Chicago based Irish keynote speaker and business humorist speaks to corporations and associations on business growth and productivity interspersed with a large dollop of Irish blarney.