‘Best friends’ up for best moment
Reporter THEIR unique bond helped make the beautiful game beautiful again. Jermain Defoe and Bradley Lowery’s heart-warming friendship touched the hearts of the nation. Now they have been shortlisted for the prestigious Best Sporting Moment at the Laureus World Sports Awards. The accolade celebrates the emotional, heart-warming moments beyond the scoreboard and show the true value of sport. The England striker and Bradley became friends after the young Sunderland fan was a mascot at the Stadium of Light. It was there Bradley, who was battling neuroblastoma, met Defoe, his favourite Black Cats player. The footballer and six-year-old remained close friends and were regularly seen together. Sadly, the youngster lost his fight with terminal cancer on July 7 last year. Defoe, who currently plays for Bournemouth, said the nomination was a fitting tribute to his best friend. He said: “The best sporting moment nomination is testimony to the way Bradley’s courage and bravery inspired us.
“Being nominated for such a prestigious and international award like the Laureus World Sports Awards shows how Brad touched the lives of millions of people all over the globe. He was my best friend and there’s not a day goes by when I don’t think about him.”
He added: “Bradley’s memory inspires me every day, both on and off the pitch.”
Also shortlisted from the UK is 18-year-old motor racing driver Billy Monger. The teen tragically lost his legs in a racing accident. The Chapecoense football team are nominated for continuing to defy the odds after 19 first-team players were killed in a plane crash i n 2016. The Iowa Hawkeyes for the ‘Kinnick Wave’ and Kimi Raikkonen super-fan Thomas Danel are also nominated. The winner nominees were selected by sports fans from a shortlist of videos. They will now go head-to-head in a final public vote. The winner will be announced at the Laureus Awards Ceremony on February 27 in Monaco. Watch the Best Sporting Moment Nominee videos and VOTE at mylaureus.com Jermain Defoe