Footballers are often stereotyped as being socially unaware and this is grossly unfair. Just because John Terry chooses to park his Bentley in a disabled bay or Ashley Cole nearly crashes on hearing of his insulting 55K a week pay offer doesn't mean they aren't rounded, thoughtful individuals who are in tune with the wider world.
Let's not forget how Gazza almost single handedly healed the sectarian divide in Glasgow by defusing generations of hatred with his inspired flute paying mime. Or that Mark Bosnich enabled the North London Jewish community to forget the horrors of the past with his amusing Nazi salute. And drugs awareness charities were quick to praise Robbie Fowler's coke snorting goal celebration. All examples of footballers using their celebrity to make the world a better place.
To that illustrious company we can now add Nathan Tyson after his sensitive handling of the situation at the end of the Forest - Derby game last Saturday. With crowd trouble back in the headlines and no love lost between these local rivals, Tyson eased tensions by offering the defeated Rams fans a symbolic olive branch in the form of a tactfully waved corner flag.
We look forward to a Premiership star heralding hope for the Middle East by exposing a bomb belt after scoring a goal, or indeed tearing up £20 notes to signal that happier economic times lie ahead for us all.
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