When my little son was starting out in primary school, he was swept into a passion for the Australian Rules Football, 'Footy' as they call it here. He joined his local club - virtually every suburb or town here seems to have a footy and cricket club. Since his best friend then was a supporter of one of the clubs, he too followed and insisted that all the rest of the family do so too. We all did. Even though we had no idea of the game and its rules or history then. We slowly started to know more and more about the game, its history and 'legends'. I used to think that legends were about people who were dead or imaginary from a long time ago.
Here in Australia the most popular legends are not just stories, they are people who have been voted to the honour of being 'legends' themselves. Many are living legends. In other parts of the world there were 'heroes',, 'stars', 'superstars' and 'champions'. It is in Oz that we have these 'legends'. These were people who were voted by their peers and experts as having contributed something significant to the game and were often listed in a 'Hall of Fame'. The thing about these legitimate legends was that once they become legends, even their erstwhile rivals or supporters of teams that opposed them accept them as their own, true Australian legends. They had transcended the lower level rivalry and had risen to be of value above partisanship. There were Australian legends in many fields of endeavour - in sports, in arts, in music and even in politics!
I used to wonder what would such people be like? How different would they be from the rest of us and what kind of legends would a tough, physical and mental sport like 'Footy' produce. The game had long been known for its physical brawls and fights often drawing blood. We did not know the rules then, but my 5-6 year old son did perfectly. He could tell us that it was not part of the rules to fight or punch or 'unfairly' tackle someone. There was a legitimate 'tackle' that apparently did not cause injury or draw blood. Since I had to learn to play this new 'footy' with my son for about six months, before he outclassed me and I was no longer challenging enough for him, I did pick up the basis of the rules of the game and started to have a genuine appreciation and liking for it. Gradually, I realised that it is perhaps the best form of ball game among all that I had come across. It is more physically and intellectually challenging than soccer or rugby or football in the USA. Aussie rules footy involves no body armour. It does not look like a perpetual traffic jam with stop and start every two seconds. It has tremendous flow, speed and requires constant performance.
Yes, there are certain kinds of bumping allowed between players but if followed strictly, it should not result in any great injury in the worst case. Yes, there had been instances when someone transgresses the rules and the mateship and loyalty of teammates in defending each other results in a group brawl. Historically, it had been quite a bloody sport, but was changing a fair bit when my son started to learn it. There were more strict enforcement of rules penalising illegal contact and the culture had changed to the point that it was a family friendly sport, worth taking everyone to watch. Most famous players, however, had a history of being involved in tough, physical confrontations and being injured sometime or the other. I wondered how such could be role models for youngsters.
As is typical in many small, local clubs they invited luminaries and famous people to visit, to talk to the players and families, to motivate and inspire the youngsters. I used to take my son every week for his practice and game on weekends. One day we saw that there was a bit of excitement and a show with even some press coverage.We heard that a footy legend was visiting his club that weekend. Many wanted to see him, shake his hand or have their picture taken with him if possible.
I asked who he was and which team he had played for.
' Ron Barassi from Melbourne Football Club' - said my son. He was not necessarily keen to have his picture taken with the visiting legend then.
It was not his favourite team. My son, a fierce supporter of his favourite team, who was normally fiercely opposed to other teams, their players and umpires who gave a decision against his team, did not appear to be particularly keen about this. But even his best friend who supported the same team as my son seemed keen and awed to see this person in person. His explanation that 'Ron Barassi' was an Australian Football League (AFL) 'legend' seemed sufficient for my son to accept honouring the players of the 'other teams'. I guess, little kids like a show, excitement and ceremony and quickly get into the spirit.
We saw a big crowd, a lot of the families had shown up to catch sight of this 'legend'. He was a surprisingly small built man with greying hair, a kind smile and moustache. He looked quite different from the mostly big, huge or tall players of this era. The annual awards to the club players were given by him and he gave a brief speech as the guest of honour. He spoke in a clear, calm and friendly tone. He seeemed to be a bright, smiling man who definitely had a knack for lightening the spirit in the room as well as bringing something of a deep dignity to the atmosphere. The way everyone looked at this now diminutive and unassuming figure created an aura that the man himself seemed totally unaware of.
After the formal ceremonies were over, we were told that Mr. Barassi had another engagement, somewhere else to go to, and that he would be able to spend only a few minutes to mingle with the common folk as these legends often did. One could instantly see many lining up to get a chance. I happened to be standing just where the line was forming. My son wandered over to me and stood there, taking all the sights in.
As is typical among Aussies, everyone was polite and waited their turn to meet the great man. No one pushed past me or my son. He talked to the people ahead of us. Everyone wanted to get their picture taken with him. He patiently waited and cooperated. I used to think that most celebrities faked their friendliness or enthusiasm for this photo-ops which were probably a 'necessary nuisance' that they had to put up with. I did not pay much attention. I knew Mr. Barassi had to leave soon. The people ahead of me in the line were thoughtful about the limited time and hurried graciously. Suddenly, I realised the guest of honour was standing before me, smiling and extending his hand to my son who shook it. Then he looked up to me. I must say looked up, because he was slightly shorter in height. I too shook his hand. He then turned to my son and asked him with a warm smile, something about the game. He listened with full, undivided attention to the soft voice of the little boy, amid all the noise of the crowd. He asked more questions about how long he had been playing, what team he supported, where he was from. He listened with a serious look, a twinkling in his eye and a warm smile. I was stunned and felt the sudden envelope of his genuine heart and interest in people.
The football club and its activities had been great for my son and I to get to know our new homeland and its culture. We had been warmly welcomed and accepted as a part of the locals. I mentioned that briefly, to break the silence when my son had stopped speaking and the great man was still waiting, listening to him. He did not move away quickly, even though he had to go away soon.
That legend then turned to me and asked me more about where we were from, how my son had come to take up Footy and how glad he was to see us learn about this true Aussie sport and its culture.
Everyone around was patiently waiting. The man did not hurry us and without saying it, made us feel important and valued just as much as anyone else he had spoken to that day. Suddenly, I really wanted to get a picture of my son with this wonderful man. I fumbled with my camera that I had put away. I will never forget that wonderful, gracious, friendly, patient spirit of a someone who is truly a legend in my heart now. We got our pictures taken quickly and thanked him and those that had waited patiently for us to finish. I was in a bit of a daze. It was quite unexpected to feel such a spirit.
Shortly later, as we walked away from the gathering, we saw Mr. Barassi walking over to his departing car. He greeted us and waved goodbye to us just as a long time friend would have. He was like this to everyone I saw him meet and greet.
Many years passed since that meeting and one day, Mr. Barassi was in the news again. He had been injured in a violent attack by some young punk when he had gone over to help a young woman being assaulted in public, when he had gone dining with his friends in St. Kilda in Melbourne. He was named Victorian of the Year in 2009.
I know that I have met a true gentleman, a true legend! They still live among us.
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