Forever, Michael

The most famous football player in Fulham FC's history has finally been given the proper tribute.  Michael Jackson - one of the most dangerous attacking midfielders to ever grace a pitch - has been honored with a statue outside of Craven Cottage.  For those that are not aware of Jackson's heroics, Craven Cottage is the home ground of Fulham.  A place that visiting teams feared while Jackson was a mainstay in the starting IX.

Over the course of an eleven year career - cut short due to a recurring knee injury - Jackson averaged 19.2 goals a season.  During the famous 1986 season, Jackson scored 33 goals and was named Player of the Year. 

Fulham were relegated to the English Third Division.

Gary, Indiana - The Dream Begins

As a child growing up in Gary, Indiana USA Jackson learned he had a gift.  He could do things with balls at his feet that no other player in the Midwest of the US could dream of.  Jackson led his local high school to 4 straight state championships.  His coach would often start 9 players just to make the matches competitive. A local reporter once asked Jackson how he became the most famous high school soccer player in the country.  Jackson responded, "I have no idea".

As a senior the Gary High School stands were filled with scouts, managers and team owners from world renowned clubs.  Liverpool, Real Madrid, AC Milan, Boca Juniors and the Milwaukee Wave all came armed with professional contracts and the promise of fortune, fame and women. 

Jackson said he had no interest in women.   He just loved playing the game.

The player would shock the world by spurning the advances of all the top clubs by signing with one of the worst clubs in London.  When asked why he chose Fulham over the likes of Madrid, Milan and Liverpool Jackson responded, "They speak English in London".

The number of people Jackson inspired cannot be underestimated.  Although, in a recent study some think it is in the thousands.  Youngsters that never thought they could play the game at its highest level now believed they could because of Jackson.  Most failed miserably.

Jackson talking to aspiring Fulham players

Despite being an American, Jackson never featured for the US National Team.  He claimed to be a "player of the world".  And that he didn't feel comfortable in the colors of any country - especially one that was as atrocious as the US.

This only endeared him to the Fulham fans.  This only endeared him to the fans of the greatest game in the world.  Jackson's jersey is still the #1 seller at the Fulham club shop.  In fact, so beloved is Jackson in England that his name is adorned on more club jerseys than any other player.  That is how adored this man remains.

I was just getting into the game when Jackson was in his prime.  His later years were marred by injury, questionable decision on and off the pitch and financial troubles.  I try not to let this cloud the grainy video footage I watch on my laptop of the Great Man.  Without Jackson there would be no Zidane.  There would be no Xavi.  There would be no Joey Barton.

God bless Fulham for this statue.  This is a monument that fans around the globe will flock to for decades. 

Is Michael Jackson the greatest of all time?  This will be debated long after I am gone.  Long after the internet has faded into the sunset and some new fad has taken its place.  But football will always be here. 

And where football is played - where little kids run free playing the game - Michael Jackson's presence will always be felt.