Football is the beautiful game. Be it the exhilarated shrieking by a nonagenarian when a 18-year-old debutant scores for his childhood club or that of a 6-year-old crying because his team is losing. Be is crazy Manchester United fans taking over Delhi's Connaught Place circle in middle of the night to celebrate MUFC's 12th FA Cup win or be it Liverpool fans painting the town red for Klopp and the boys, anyone who follows football will tell you there's no better sport to watch, play and follow.
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But what if you don't have a normal life? what if you are struggling to even finish even your basic chores? Worse, what if you are an eight-year-old who lost both his hands and legs to a dreadful disease even before you could even use it?
Well, as young Tottenham fan Marshall Johnson showed millions, football is right up there on the list.
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The Eight-year-old from Cornwall had to get both his legs and arms amputated at the age of 1 due to meningitis.
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But that didn't stop him from growing up as a Tottenham Hotspurs fan. And now seven years later, he got a chance to fulfil his dream and get onto the pitch of White Hart Lane to go one-one-one with the players.
Reuters
I have always felt that many brands and sports pages misuse public empathy and sympathy by parading people with needs and?different-abilities?but with?Marshall?that was not the case for sure. In fact, my sister and?wifey?- both non-footy?fans- teared up after watching this; so proceed with caution! (personally, I suggest watching it alone with a pack of tissues; not that we cry but still!)
Here's Spurs midfielder Mousa Dembele escorting Marshall onto the field during the halftime of their final home game last season.
He proceeds to pass around the ball with most of the Spurs substitutes and enjoys the limelight before returning.
All the while, the great fans of Tottenham, showcased great spirit and encouraged the youngster by chanting his name and 'Sign Him Up!' in unison; clearly showing why the club and its fans are the best among the ones playing out of London area.
Here's another video of Marshall from Spurs training ground where he goes one-on-one with Harry Kane.
His mother says that usually he is a very confident guy but before this event, he was nervous. He was worried he would be made fun of. But, here's Marshall gloating in all the attention and rocking it!
reuters
Marshall wants to be a goalkeeper when he grows up and we think he can do it!
Go for it Marshall! In you, we believe!