Interview with David Beckham

Introduction

David Beckham is a famous professional soccer player and an ambassador of various brands such as Adidas. I first met David Beckham two years ago at an English Pub in the heart of England. When I was walking into the pub, I looked around for that familiar face and fashionable icon I always see so many times in the newspapers. At first, I thought I had arrived before him, but then in the corner of the pub, I spot what appeared to be a local sitting alone clothed in a stocking cap, a plain white t-shirt and trendy, but casual, blue jeans at a table reading the newspaper. To my surprise, he looks up at me, and it is then that I recognize this casual, anonymous customer as David Beckham himself. I tell him that I am surprised that he could casually sit in a public pub and be left alone.

Is your time best spent reading someone else’s essay? Get a 100% original essay FROM A CERTIFIED WRITER!

Save 25%

One of his dreams was to play for his local team "Manchester United," and when he was 13, he was offered 6 years of training and competition with Manchester Training Academy. In 1992, at the age of 17, David's dream came one-step closer to becoming true; he made his first appearance for Manchester United. David felt like he played well, but begging his toughest critic, 2nd to his father, he was uncertain if he did well enough. He received his confirmation less than 6 months later when he signed his first professional soccer contract with ManU.

Signing his first professional contract in 1993 was the beginning of a career that would span 20 years. David shared with me his 11 years playing for ManU, the 13 years with the English National team, his three World Cup appearances, five years with LA Galaxy in the US, and his final year as a professional athlete with Paris Saint-Germain.

I asked David to share with me some of the highlights and some of the low points in his career. Without hesitating, David told me that in 1996 in a game against Wimbledon he scored a halfway line goal that left everyone amazed.

During the 1998 World Cup, just minutes into the second half, tied 2-2, David did something that was uncharacteristic of him and still today, he says that he does not know what he was thinking. He received a red card and was ejected from the game. England lost that game and was eliminated from the World Cup.

In 2007, David and his family moved to the United States, and he began his career as an American football player with LA Galaxy. The experience of playing American football was very gratifying for David, although at times he struggled. I asked David about reports that I had read that during his time with LA Galaxy, there had been a league-wide 231% increase in sales of MLS merchandise. With a wink, he said, "yes, I have heard that." As famous and successful as David Beckham is, his response to that comment seemed to show a humble David Beckham that many have not experienced.

After three hours, and 2 pitchers of English brew, our interview was beginning to conclude. David wanted to share one more experience, an experience that was probably his lowest and his highest.

David shared with me the most crushing news that he ever received in his lifetime was when it was announced that he was not selected for the English National Team for the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. After all the years playing, training, and devoting himself to his country and now that the Olympics are on his home turf, he was cut, which seemed like a sad end of his career. The proudest moment of his life was when he participated in the 2012 Summer Olympic Opening Ceremonies. He represented his beloved country.

In all my years of reporting on sports figures, I can sincerely say that I don't believe I have ever met a more humble, more genuine individual that not only loves the game of his chosen career but an unwavering love for family and country.

EndNote to Profile Feature of David Beckham

The book The Life and Career of David Beckham by Tracey Savell Reavis, which was an in-depth look at the life and career of David Beckham influenced the contents of this profile feature. Additionally, I found information on David Beckham's career in an article by Anjelica Oswald "The Incredibly Successful Life of David Beckham, the 2nd-Highest-Paid Athlete" in Business Insider that chronicled his career. I found additional information from the GQ Magazine by Michael Paterniti, entitled "David Beckham on Retirement, Family Life, and Protecting His Kids."

The role of a professional soccer player is the most noteworthy of David Beckham, and the role that leads to, or is a part of, all the other positions he has filled during his lifetime.

I thought that this entry written as a profiled feature was the most appropriate and what allowed for information needed to present the most in-depth and accurate information.