Hilfestellungen » their mind and whats right because theyre afrai

Timing-wise, it just felt right, says Steve Davis, as he reflects on his decision to end a 38-year career in professional snooker with a public farewell at the Crucible Theatre a fortnight ago. Audiences at Sheffields snooker mecca saw Davis win six world titles during an era of dominance that coincided with the sports boom under Barry Hearns guidance in the 1980s. As he held the trophy aloft ceremonially - and a little sheepishly - for a final time, there was a feeling of relief that the circle was closed.It just slowly got harder to compete at the top level. Its not that I didnt love the game, its just that Ive been playing competitively for so long that when you practise, you practise with a view to playing in a tournament, Davis says. And if youre losing every match then it perhaps isnt worth practising.Six years after he last qualified for the World Championship, the game was up.Just Jimmy White remains active of the 80s giants who laid bare on the baize a range of contradictory personalities that helped propel a pub game out of the Pot Black era and into the big-time.A BBC film called The Rack Pack chronicling a fictionalised version of Davis rivalry with Alex Higgins was released in January, and the nostalgia - the sense he was part of the past rather than the present - played its role in the 58-year-olds retirement. Davis rivalry with Alex Higgins was a cornerstone of snookers success in the early 1980s More influential, though, was the death earlier this year of his father Bill, whose unswerving practical, technical and paternal support took his son from the south London clubs to the amateur circuit and, in just a few years, to the top of the world.Things coincided with my father passing away, Davis says. I didnt really feel the desire to play on longer with him not around, and by complete coincidence The Rack Pack came out. That just brought home that first wave of enthusiasm for snooker to hit the UK - everything seemed to be leading towards the conclusion that it was the end of an era.What an era, though. Davis emerged in the late 70s as a kind of other-worldly automaton pitted against the all-too-human Higgins and the unaffected Whites outrageous talent, and he had ringmaster Hearn in his corner.Given the way Essexs great sporting impresario has subsequently exploited the pantomime potential of boxing and darts - for the benefit of player and promoter alike - it is tempting to wonder whether the man vs machine narrative of the time was at all scripted. Not so, says Davis. Barry Hearn (right) backed Davis rise to the top of snooker and helped commercialise the sport It was just the way it was. We were all pushing boundaries in our own way, and you just did what you did the way you could do it. Part of your personality comes out on the table - you cant really do very much about that.The robotic, emotionless person I was on the table was how I dealt with the problem at hand. It wasnt so much Barry Hearns influence as [a reflection of] the way each one of us lived our life at the time. I was pretty regimented, probably the hardest practiser.That treadmill of practice-competition-practice took him to 28 ranking titles, and a genuine passion for a hobby-turned-profession helped maintain his meticulous approach even during the harrowing time when Stephen Hendry was wresting control of the sport.The Scot bolted a total lack of fear onto Davis merciless professionalism and toppled snookers king, surpassing his record of six Crucible wins. Somewhere along the line, though, that new vulnerability - first glimpsed in the famous final-black world final defeat to Dennis Taylor in 1985 - meant the snooker-watching public came to love Davis where once hed been merely admired. Davis roll of honour Six World Championship titles 28 ranking titles 53 non-ranking titles 355 century breaks A genial willingness to embrace Spitting Images Interesting Steve Davis caricature did no harm, and he remains the only snooker player to win the BBCs Sports Personality of the Year award, but Davis wonders now whether he or any of the circuits fabled 80s characters would leave a mark in todays post-internet, multi-channel world.I think the trouble is that the worlds become quite immune to characters. The analogy of Big Brother would spring to mind. The first winner of Big Brother [Liverpudlian everyman-type Craig Phillips in 2000] was just a normal bloke called Craig. Nowadays, it seems youve got to be some sort of absolute weirdo even to get on the show.I think the same applies in the world of sport. What was once considered to be a character now doesnt cut the mustard. The way we look back at some of the old characters... I dont think the modern-day players are any different to them. People have become a bit immune.Think of the relative lack of interest in say, the brash idealism of Judd Trump or Mark Allens spiky outsider status, and it is easy to agree. The exception, of course, is Ronnie OSullivan, who spoke after his recent Crucible exit about the combined pressures of being snookers new figurehead and its most popular player. Davis sympathises. Davis and Jimmy White pose ahead of the 1984 World Championship final The same thing happened for Jimmy and for Alex, he says. People wanted them to do so well, and when they werent youd get people shouting come on Jimmy and come on Alex. Sometimes I felt as though that hindered them more than helped. That didnt happen too often from my perspective, but actually perversely [the lack of support] was probably easier to deal with.Ronnies certainly got the pressure of not only being the No 1 ranked player when he wants to be, hes also got the pressure of everybody wanting him to win. Its a double-edged sword.Davis now has the luxury of looking on from a distance, and although his enduring love for the sport is obvious both from the way he talks and from his insightful television analysis, the tone is one of proud granddad ruffling the hair of his favourite grandson.It is time for some of his other passions to share top billing now. Already a published author - he has co-written two books on chess - Davis life story Interesting is nominated for Autobiography of the Year at the prestigious Cross Sports Book Awards. Snooker legend Davis retires Steve Davis is to stop playing snooker 35 years after winning his first World Championship An interest in music - from rare 70s soul to obscure prog rock - has been a matter of record for years but has brought new opportunities recently after promoters tuned into his community radio show and spotted his potential for bringing out-there electronica to a wider audience.Acclaimed DJ sets have followed, and when Davis answers his phone to Sky Sports he is busy rooting through the racks in a record shop in Manchester.Its great fun, he says. One minute were doing a radio show, the next minute someones asked us to play a music festival, and now all of a sudden were DJs. Its been brilliant, amazing.A rapid rise from part-timer to pro? A burgeoning career he describes as a hobby gone berserk? All sounds a bit familiar... Also See: Rocket warned over no-show Bring the party to snooker Air Max 180 Sale .ca! Hi Kerry, Heres an interesting one. I know its common knowledge that all players are responsible for their sticks. We witnessed that when Zack Kassian hit Edmontons Sam Gagner in the face after a missed check. Nike Air Footscape Sale . - Levi Browns tenure at left tackle for the Pittsburgh Steelers is over before it even began. https://www.wholesaleshoesforcheap.com/nike-metcon-sale/ . Clarke was injured while practicing on the Doha Golf Club range after the pro-am on Tuesday. The Northern Irishman arrived at the course on Wednesday hoping to start, but after hitting a few balls on the practice putting green Clarke advised officials he was not fit to play. Nike SB Sale .com) - The Chicago Blackhawks aim for their third three-game winning streak of the season when they host the struggling Edmonton Oilers in Sundays battle at the United Center. Air Jordan 34 Sale . -- Josh Sterk scored once and set up two more as the Oshawa Generals edged the visiting Belleville Bulls 3-2 on Friday in Ontario Hockey League action. KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Chiefs cornerback Marcus Peters raised his fist throughout the national anthem before Sundays game against the San Diego Chargers at Arrowhead Stadium, as Kansas City players interlocked their arms.The Chiefs werent alone in demonstrating during The Star-Spangled Banner on Sunday. The Seattle Seahawks also stood and interlocked arms. Their opponent, the Miami Dolphins, took another approach.Dolphins running back Arian Foster told ESPNs Bob Holtzman that he planned to take a knee and raise his fist during the national anthem. Foster said Dolphins players met Friday and agreed to make their own decision on how to handle Sundays anthem.Foster, along with teammates Kenny Stills, Michael Thomas and Jelani Jenkins, took a knee Sunday, though it appeared Foster did not raise his fist as planned.We encourage all members of our organization to stand at attention during the national anthem out of respect and appreciation for the freedoms we are afforded as Americans. We also recognize that its an individuals right to reflect during the anthem in different ways, the Dolphins said in a statement. We respect these liberties and appreciate the sacrifices that everyone has made for our country, especially on this day of remembrance.We hope todays events will continue a respectful and thoughtful dialogue in our community on unity, inclusiveness and togetherness.Foster said he has had conversations recently with San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick. Peters said Friday that he was behind Kaepernick 100 percent, a stance he reiterated after Sundays game.Im black. I love being black, and Im supporting Colin as far as what hes doing as far as raising awareness of with justice system, Peters said Sunday. I didnt mean anything by it. I locked arms with my teammates. I talked to coach. Coach said it was OK if I wanted to express my thoughts about what I wanted to do.Its not about attention for me. Dont talk about it being about [that]. I come from a majority black community in Oakland, California. I grew up around my people a lot. The struggle I see, Ive got family members who are still in the struggle.In a statement issued on behalf of the players, the Chiefs said: After having a number of thoughtful discussions as a group regarding our representation during the National Anthem, we decided collectively to lock arms as a sign of solidarity. It was our goal to be unified as a team and to be respectful of everyones opinions, and the remembrance of 9/11.Its our job as professional athletes to make a positive impact on our communities and to be proactive when change is needed. Together we are going to continue to have conversations, educate ourselves and others on social issues and work with local law enforcement officials and leaders to make an impact on the Kansas City community.Peters added that more steps need to be taken.We need to continue to meet as a team. Ill continue to do some things on my own back at home, Peters said. Well try to further help this problem. Its not going to do us no good if you all rush us talking about the same thing over and over.Players from several teams, including the Green Bay Packers, Jacksonville Jaguars and Houston Texans, helped to hold the edges of giant flags at their games.dddddddddddd.New England Patriots wide receiver Danny Amendola was one player who helped hold the flag, while teammates Martellus Bennett and Devin McCourty waited until the completion of the anthem to raise fists prior to their game Sunday night against the Arizona Cardinals.I believe in this country. I love this country, McCourty said. My father was in the Army. My older brother was in the Army. Those men and women go out there and put their life on the line. I respect that. Thats the reason why I didnt do anything during the national anthem because I respect it. You talk to people about how much respect they have for the flag. Thats why they believe. Thats why they go fight. Nothing but respect for that.Kaepernick has been moved by the number of players around the NFL reaching out and supporting his decision to sit or kneel during the national anthem over the past few weeks in protest of racial oppression and other social issues.Some players, including Seahawks cornerback Jeremy Lane and Denver Broncos linebacker Brandon Marshall have joined Kaepernick and his 49ers teammate?Eric Reid in kneeling during the anthem, though Lane stood with his teammates Sunday in a demonstration of unity. Others have discussed it, though Kaepernick said earlier this week that some have expressed concerns about the possible repercussions of joining the protest.Several Seahawks player said they are in the process of meeting with the mayor of Seattle and police chiefs across the state.I think its something that theres a lot of players that really feel the same way, Kaepernick said Wednesday. Theyre just nervous about consequences that come along with it, and a lot of them have families to feed, and I think thats a tragic situation where players arent comfortable speaking whats on their mind and whats right because theyre afraid of consequences that come along with it. Thats not an ideal environment for anybody.Marshall has already experienced some of that blowback, losing an endorsement with the Air Academy Federal Credit Union on Friday after kneeling before Thursdays opener against the Carolina Panthers. On Sunday, a handful of NFL players apparently werent deterred and joined Kaepernick in sending their message, even on the 15th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.Kaepernick and the Niners play Monday night, but he said earlier this week that he would have continued his protest had the 49ers played on Sunday, again emphasizing that his actions have nothing to do with disrespecting the military.Once again, this isnt a protest against men and women of the military, Kaepernick said. I have great respect for them. I spoke with Nate Boyer and Joey Jones, those are great military vets, and Ive spoken to others as well. People are getting lost in what the true message is and dont want to address what it really is and address those issues. Thats really the problem. I wish people would be as outraged about the murders that are happening in the street as they are about a protest.ESPNs Nick Wagoner and Mike Reiss contributed to this report. ' ' '