By Richard Pagliaro | @Tennis_Now | Friday, September 15, 2024
Struggling is a vital component of Grand Slam success, Rafael Nadal famously stated. Â
Soccer fandom has confirmed fairly painful for John McEnroe, too.
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A self-described “long-suffering” New York Jets fan, McEnroe interviewed star quarterback Aaron Rodgers previous to his Jets debut on Monday Evening Soccer.
Corridor of Famer McEnroe was a visitor commentator on ESPN2 throughout the ManningCast telecast of the Jets vs. Payments recreation when Rodgers tore his Achilles whereas being tackled throughout the opening sequence.
The picture of Rodgers being carted off the sphere simply 4 performs into his Jets debut prompted host Eli Manning to ask McEnroe: “John, you are all the time form of identified in your calm demeanor, how did you react to seeing this?”
Queens native McEnroe, who has been a loyal Jets fan for the reason that age of 10 when he watched Broadway Joe Namath lead the group to the Tremendous Bowl championship, pulled no punches in his response.
“Oh my God, I stated means again when as soon as, You Can not Be Critical,” McEnroe stated. “I have been instructed by my spouse by no means to say that once more. However I’ve bought to say once I noticed that I undoubtedly scream that as loud as I might.
“You possibly can’t make this up. That is past perception. We felt snake-bitten for therefore lengthy. You bear in mind the similarities wtih Brett Favre when he got here in like 15 years in the past. He was the same age, there was excessive hopes. He was one among my favourite gamers of all time. By no means missed a recreation, was all the time dressing up. He had an important begin, was 8-3, then he bought damage.
“Now you have a look at Aaron Rodgers I went and interivewed him a few days in the past and he made me consider it.”
In that pre-game interview Rodgers instructed McEnroe of the Jets Tremendous Bowl aspirations: “We anticipate to go on the market and dominate and make a run to the Tremendous Bowl, why else am I right here? What else are we doing?”
McEnroe, who wore a barely skeptical expression of “these are the Jets we’re speaking about one thing dangerous is sure to occur right here”, questioned Rodgers on if he had any considerations of tarnishing his legacy in New York.
“Did they ever take these [Grand Slam titles] away on the finish of your profession?” Rodgers requested McEnroe. “They could not take that sh*t away, you are still a legend.
“And also you’re all the time going to be a legend.”
Picture credit score: John McEnroe Tennis Academy/Sportime RIÂ