O Captain! My Captain! Liverpool's Steven Gerrard In Court

O Captain! My Captain! Our fearful trip is done. Well, not yet for Steven Gerrard, at least not until a court decides the Liverpool captain innocent or guilty. New video has surfaced showing the brawl in not too clear and unfocused detail. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/merseyside/8162068.stm

It appears to me that someone threw an elbow at a man in a blue sweater, but I can’t really tell. In any case, the incident is unfortunate for what many argue is England’s only world class player and who many have given the endearing nickname, Captain Fantastic.

The story reminded me of other footballer’s in England getting into hot water over a few thrown punches.

Take for example Joey Barton, who video shows him clearly whaling on a young man to the point where he is knocked down. Or Lee Boyer, who much like Barton, had a few off-the-pitch brawls.

Curiously enough, both players played for the same team, Newcastle, and of course Boyer is famous for his on-field scuffle with teammate Kieron Dyer during a league game.

But obviously these players are nowhere near the caliber of Steven Gerrard, and that is why so much attention has been given this particular brawl. 

Let’s be honest, we’re almost desensitized to these occurrences when athletes are involved.

But we are also accustomed to these situations involving drinking and nightclubs and maybe an altercation ensuing due to an argument over money, women, or reputation.

But the similarities with this story end at the nightclub and drinking, because it appears that the confrontation took place after Gerrard asked the bartender for a CD player remote control. 

Apparently, the bartender took offense to how Gerrard asked him for it, saying he referred to him as a “lad” and claimed his attitude was offensive.

Seriously? I mean there wasn’t arguing over reputation or strippers involved? What kind of bar fight is this? You mean to tell me they were fighting over a CD player?

Regardless, we may debate the validity of the bust-up, but the court trial is equally frivolous.

I mean no one is above the law, obviously, but this kind of thing goes wholly unnoticed and occurs often amongst us normal people...that is, people who are not world class footballers, and I’m throwing Joey Barton and Lee Boyer into that category.

I’m sure Gerrard feels terrible about the situation but also feels justified as well, given that he is claiming self-defense. 

The only thing I worry about is whether this will affect his play on the pitch, but I’m confident the lad will overcome this unfortunate event, learn from it, and move on.