- Shamser Khalid
From Grief to Unity: Ramsdale's Football Journey
Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale has opened up about his emotional journey, bravely sharing how he navigated the profound grief of losing his unborn child just before facing an assault from a Tottenham fan after a victorious match. Ramsdale sheds light on the personal struggles and challenges footballers face, both on and off the pitch.
Amid the joy of Arsenal's success and his selection for the World Cup, Ramsdale and his wife discovered they were expecting their first child. However, their joy was short-lived as they encountered the tragedy of a miscarriage during their flight back to London. Ramsdale spoke about the excruciating pain he experienced during the six-hour flight, emphasizing the importance of letting others know they are not alone in such difficult times.
"There are things that go on in our lives that the public has no idea about, and the past year has been an emotional rollercoaster for me and my family," he wrote for The Players' Tribune.
The assault
On January 15, after a north London derby win against Tottenham, Ramsdale faced an unexpected attack from a Spurs fan named Joseph Watts. He had assaulted Ramsdale by kicking him in the back while he collected his water bottle.
"It's a shame because it's just a game of football at the end of the day. I think both sets of players tried to bring me away. Thankfully nothing happened too drastic. It's a sour taste."Ramsdale said,
immediately after the game.
Post-tragedy
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta offered Ramsdale additional time off to grieve and process the loss. Despite the immense pressure during a tight title race, Arteta's understanding and compassion touched Ramsdale, but he ultimately decided to play to divert his mind from the pain. Football has always been Ramsdale's escape, and he saw the derby match as an opportunity to find solace in the game.
The night of the derby was a memorable one for Ramsdale as Arsenal secured a 2-0 victory and their away fans celebrated ecstatically. However, the joy was ruined by the assault he endured. Despite facing verbal abuse from fans throughout his career, Ramsdale asserted that it had never crossed the line into violence until that moment.
In a remarkable display of empathy, he even found himself feeling sympathy for the attacker, believing that if the person knew the emotional turmoil he was going through, they would not have resorted to such an act.
His stand against homophobia
Ramsdale has vowed to fight against dressing room homophobia, to support his brother, Oliver, who is gay. He expressed pride in his brother's openness about his sexuality and emphasized the need for football to become a more inclusive and welcoming sport for everyone.
To combat homophobia and hate in football, Ramsdale stressed that football is a sport for everyone. He encouraged individuals to acknowledge the impact of their words and actions, urging an end to discriminatory behaviour. Despite anticipating negative reactions to his stance, Ramsdale firmly stated that he would not back down from advocating for inclusivity in football.
Ramsdale revealed that both he and his brother had stayed silent as homophobic comments came, to avoid further complications. However, Ramsdale vowed to break that silence, recognizing the significance of openly addressing such issues.
His bravery in confronting his grief and championing his brother's identity serves as an inspiration for others to support and embrace diversity in the sport. Ramsdale's powerful message reminds us all that football should be a unifying force, fostering acceptance and understanding among fans, players, and communities worldwide.
