CALMER KAMARA
Lockdown made me better person Black Lives Matter crucial for kids
CHRIS KAMARA has become one of football’s most-loved TV stars.
From his ‘Unbelievable, Jeff!’ catchphrase to the hilarious gaffe live on air at Portsmouth in 2010, he has carved out a legendary status during the past 22 years working for Sky Sports as a reporter, presenter and pundit.
Yet behind the laughter lies a serious side to the former Leeds and Sheffield United star, who admits the Covid- 19 pandemic has changed his outlook on life.
The 62- year- old spent lockdown in his West Yorkshire home with Anne, his wife of 38 years, sons Ben and Jack, and their three grandchildren.
It was a special time for Kammy, but it also brought home to him how much more needs to be done with Black Lives Matter... to protect the future of his grandchildren.
Dream
Kamara said: “You work your socks off to be successful in life, but then your grandkids come along and nothing else matters any more.
“The biggest silver lining of lockdown for me was all my family being together. My eldest son Ben and his wife and their two kids came to live with us.
“Jack lives next door anyway with his partner and their daughter, so we had the best four months that you could ever dream of.
“Covid-19 has changed everyone’s life and for me family became the most important thing. It’s probably made me a better person.” Kamara grew up on the tough Park End estate i n Middlesbrough before his father made him join the Royal Navy at the age of 16.
He fought racism then and during his playing days, and it is something he remains passionate about.
“I watched the video of George Floyd’s death and I cried,” said Kamara.
“Black Lives Matter do a lot of good, but if you take the knee then it should be to honour the memory of George Floyd in the hope that it never happens again.
“My biggest driver is getting racism out of football, because black players of my generation worked so hard to overcome it.
History
“But I’m opposed to people pulling down statues and trying to erase what has happened in the past.
“I believe that history needs to be maintained so future generations can learn from it.”
While playing football for the Navy in Devon, Kamara was spotted by Portsmouth, who paid £200 to buy him out of the Armed Forces.
He went on to enjoy a successful playing career, helping Leeds United to promotion in 1990 and representing hometown club Middlesbrough in the Premier League.
Management followed at Bradford City and Stoke, before he was sacked by the Potters in 1998 and joined Sky.
Kamara added: “Could I have imagined spending the next 22 years working for Sky? Not in a million years.
“I went into it knowing I would have to work harder than most, which I did.
“I enjoy singing and brought out an album last Christmas, I have played myself on Emmerdale and also worked on the Ninja Warrior show.”
And to top it off Kamara has got Leeds versus Sheffield United to look forward to in the Premier League next season.
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