"I would be surprised if he survives another 24 hours" - re George Best

[corksean]

George Best's health has taken a severe turn for the worse and he is "coming to the end of the long road of his ill health," according to the doctor treating him.

Professor Roger Williams said Best, who is on a ventilator in the intensive care unit at the private Cromwell Hospital in west London, could die at any time. "He's still alive," he told reporters, "he's still having standard medical care and treatment, but I have to tell you that his hours are numbered now."

http://football.guardian.co.uk/News_Story/0,1563,1649773,00.html


I don't know how well known Best is in the US but to me and millions around the soccer playing world the man was, and still is, regarded as a legend. Unfortunately it looks as if the drinking is finally going to get him.

Please spare a thought or say a prayer for the man for whom the term "flawed genius" could have been invented.

Sad...........

[Dances with Cats]

1. Irish eyes are cryin'

How old is Best?

[corksean]

2. He made it to 59, which is a feat in itself, considering.

[Dances with Cats]

5. well,

I'd surely drink a pint to Mr.Best although that might not be the most appropriate tribute toone who might likely have died from drink. 'Tis moot, I'm mired in teh bowels of a red state which is "dry" on Sundays and, evidentaly religious holidays. NEvertheless..."TO BESTY~!"

[SoCalDem]

3. Boomers are leaving early..:(

edited to show correct piccie :P

[Dances with Cats]

4. help me out here...

who is that?

[SoCalDem]

8. I thought the original post said PETE Best.. ("the missing beatle)

So the pic is of Pete Best.. The OP changed it to George Best..I have no idea who george best is/was...

[Dances with Cats]

11. I see...

said the blind man....

[marbuc]

6. This is a sad story

I had the opportunity to meet and spend some time with George Best at practice when he played for the Ft Lauderdale Strikers of the old NASL. He was really sweet and kind to me, and seemed like a genuinely nice guy. I will be sad when he passes, may he RIP.

[Skittles]

7. when I was a teenager in England, George Best and Gordon Banks

were IT!!! I just adored them.........

link not working?

[corksean]

10. Hmmm, link changed for some reason. Reposted, should be OK now

[Skittles]

13. thanks corksean

I remember how handsome he was......oh, they were the glory days of soccer in England they were.

I know the pain of alcohol abuse.....my brother died a year ago yesterday at age 48....he had an uncontrollable nosebleed agravated by jaundiced and died of blood loss.

[corksean]

14. My favourite (apocryphal) George Best story

Who can forget the story of the hotel bellhop who walked into Bestie's hotel room in the late 70s when his career had long since faltered. Lying on the bed strewn with empty champagne bottles, there was the playboy Irishman in the arms of two former Miss Worlds.

The bellhop looked at the beautiful women, then at the bottles of booze, and then he turned to Best and said ...

"Oh, Georgie, where did it all go wrong?"

And my favourite (genuine) Best quote, regarding his lifestyle:

"I spent a lot of my money on booze, birds and fast cars - the rest I just squandered."

[GrumpyGreg]

16. I love it. Wish I said clever things like that. n/t

[blm]

17. That pretty much sums it up.

He was the Tyrone Power of the sports world.

[blm]

9. This pains me to hear. I know Best was Pele's favorite player. I worked

with Best on some events during the 94 World Cup.

He had so much sadness in his eyes, and even inebriated (yes, he'd fallen off the wagon yet again) you could still see the devastatingly handsome man he had been.

I still have some jerseys and soccer balls he signed.

All in all he was a very nice person saddled with demons he couldn't control even though he tried hard to do so.

[Pacifist Patriot]

12. European Cup the year I was born.

My best to you Best!

[USA_1]

15. A soccer GIANT

wishing him the very BEST!