David Norris, the family man

It is easy to jump on the bandwagon, but what a stupid thing David Norris did at the weekend celebrating his goal at Blackpool.

And now it seems people are being treated in a ridiculous way as the player and club try to explain it all away.

Firstly, to say Norris’ message to Luke McCormick in such a public arena lacked forethought and empathy would be understating it. Let’s remember Norris admitted to the press his celebration was for his former Plymouth team-mate after the game – whatever his recent statement on the Ipswich website says.

As was said by others, if you want to show support for your friend in a private way, go visit him in prison. Did Norris actually think a ‘secret’ message when he scored a goal might slip everyone’s attention?

The FA sent a letter to him (their favourite form of communication) asking for an explanation of his celebration. Presumably they were unable to read his post-match comments from somewhere?

So the midfielder admitted who his celebration was aimed at – the best man at his wedding – but denied it was a handcuff gesture.

Hmmm… presumably he thought it originated with Simon Cowell. Come on, are we really that gullible?

Ipswich have fined him, although he professed he has done nothing wrong…

But admitted it was a message for McCormick…

Which looked, has been recognised in the past, and everyone took for a handcuff gesture…

Which apparently it wasn’t, even though we already know it was a private message to his mate who is in prison…

And if it somehow wasn’t, we still don’t know what it was supposed to represent. Maybe he’s a big Dianna Vickers fan.

Sadly the statement on the Ipswich website, in my opinion, treats us all with contempt – as if everything has been made up.

It is a shame. I don’t really like the idea all footballers are dopey, unintelligent folk. But the first comment I’ve heard from most people since Norris hit Ipswich’s winner on Saturday is ‘he’s a footballer, what do you expect?’.

Well, he’s a human being and a member of society, so you would have thought a conscience would be lurking in there somewhere – if only for bringing attention back on a family who have lost its two young football fans.

posted on 11 November 2008 15:13 byMichael Bailey - Sportsdesk

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