CANDID KAMARA
Black Lives Matter campaign so close to my heart, but lockdown life with my family made me realise that we must do more... for future of my grandkids
CHRIS KAMARA has become one of football’s most-loved TV characters.
From his “Unbelievable, Jeff !” catchphrase to the hilarious gaffe live on air at Portsmouth in 2010, he has carved out legendary status in 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 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 three grandchildren.
It was a special time, but it also brought home to Kammy just how much more needs to be done with the Black Lives Matter campaign... to protect the future of his family.
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, his wife and their two kids came to live with us.
“Jack lives next door 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 in the tough Park End est ate in 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 Kamara is passionate about ending.
He said: “I watched the video of George Floyd’s death and I cried.
“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.
“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 that 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 mysel f on Emmerdale and also worked on the Ninja Warriors show.”
Kamara is delighted that Leeds and Sheffield United – two of his former clubs – will be meeting in the Premier League next season.
He said: “It’s fantastic to see Leeds back and it would be nice to get Marcelo Bielsa on Goals on Sunday. Even if we didn’t do it live and sat down with him to discuss tactics and games, that could be an option.
“I signed Chris Wilder – now the Sheffield United boss – when I was Bradford manager. I never imagined that he would go on to become so successful.
“He was thoughtful about the game, but you need a certain Midas touch – and he’s proved he has that.”
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