The Swedish soccer legend, Sven-Göran Eriksson, passed away on Monday after battling pancreatic cancer. Since then, tributes have poured in for the much-respected former soccer player and manager from other sports legends, royalty, and fans.
Eriksson had disclosed in January this year that he'd been diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer. Doctors had given him a year at most to live. Despite his seemingly impressive strength, the 76-year-old died surrounded by his loved ones just eight months after he'd shared his devastating prognosis.
Yet in his final months, the Swede, who'd managed an array of world class soccer teams throughout his career, including 10 national teams, returned to his home in his native Sweden to enjoy moments of quiet and to appreciate the little things in life.
While there Eriksson, who was not known to be religious, made a show with Amazon Sports in which he gave a heart-breaking farewell and a poignant reminder to all about death. It is as inspiring as his genuine love for soccer and those he managed.
I had a good life. I think we are all scared of the day when it's finished, when we die, but life is about death as well. You have to learn to accept it, for what it is. Hopefully at the end people will say, ‘yeah, he was a good man’. But everyone will not say that...
The father-of-two went on to say:
I hope you will remember me as a positive guy trying to do everything he could do. Don't be sorry. Smile. Thank you for everything - coaches, players, the crowd. It's been fantastic. Take care of yourself, and take care of your life, and live it. Bye."
His acceptance of the role death has to play in our lives is something we should take on board, as well as the importance of gratitude for the life we have.
Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let Your perpetual light shine upon him.
