Cruel Only to be Kind

The next year or two better be the worst of Wayne Rooney’s life. He should be given the benefit of the doubt by no ref, cheered by no fan, offered no endorsement and granted no honor. The English national team should disavow his behavior, and disown him.

England’s 2006 World Cup appearance probably would not have lived long in anyone’s memory. Only David Beckham’s goal on a free kick to win a 1-0 game against Ecuador really stood out. But now the 2006 team will be remembered. After tangling with Portugal defender Ricardo Carvalho, Rooney felt the need to stomp on Carvalho’s groin and shove Cristiano Ronaldo when he tried to protest to the referee. In the World Cup that set the record for red card’s awarded, Rooney got the one most deserved.

Nike had billboards with his face, chest and arms painted red, in the cross of St. George, from the English flag. Rooney was being promoted as the hope of the English team. Instead, he gave the country a black eye.

The man must have remarkable talent. England’s manager Sven-Goran Ericksson was eager to have him on the team despite a recent injury that made his availability for the World Cup questionable and his history of volatile behavior.

In the past, Rooney’s behavior came as a member of Manchester United. This time it was as a representative of England with the whole world watching. He has graduated to a new level of bad guy. He will have to experience what that means.

If he does not mind being vilified, he can continue on in his current path, scoring goals and getting thrown out of games. Hopefully if that is the case, England’s future managers have the sense to not invite him back.

Or he can accept his punishment as being deserved, and learn from it. Those athletes who learn to respect their sports and their competitors earn the forgiveness of fans. And those that are truly gifted can retire as heroes, despite starting their careers as villains.

England’s fans should allow Rooney to earn back their respect, but they have to wait until he does earn it. If they are too gentile with their criticism, too short in their memory, or worst of all, if they justify his behavior, they doom him to a bitter, empty career.

This could be the low point of a great career, or it could be a public display of wasted talent. That is up to Rooney and the English fans. We will learn the character of each.