Marcus Rashford has been an inspiration to millions ever since he took on the Government over child food poverty.
At just 23, he’s one of the nation’s top footballers but has also found time to champion causes which truly matter: helping low-income families and combating racism.
Now, he has proven his grace, maturity and poise with a powerful statement following Sunday’s Euro 2020 final and the despicable fall-out that ensued.
Posting on Twitter hours after he suffered a barrage of racist abuse on social media and a mural in his honour was defaced in Withington, Manchester, he vowed that he would “never apologise for who I am and where I came from”.
In the impassioned post, he admitted feeling eaten up by not scoring his crucial penalty and apologised profusely to fans, but said that while he “can take critique of my performance all day long” he would never be sorry for being a “black man from Withington and Wythenshawe, South Manchester.”
Rashford wrote: “I’ve felt no prouder moment than wearing those three lions on my chest and seeing my family cheer me on in a crowd of 10s of thousands. I dreamt of days like this.”
Referring to how the defaced mural has since been festooned with hearts, flags and tributes, he continued: “The messages I have received today have been positively overwhelming and seeing the response in Withington had me on the verge of tears. The communities that always wrapped their arms around me continue to hold me up.
“I’m Marcus Rashford, 23 years old, black man from Withington and Wythenshawe, South Manchester. If I have nothing else, I have that.”
He ended his statement: “For all the kind messages, thank you. I’ll be back stronger. We’ll be back stronger.”
— Marcus Rashford MBE (@MarcusRashford) July 12, 2021
The 23-year old shared it just before 9pm on Monday. By 7.30am on Tuesday it had racked up more than 810,000 likes and 180,000 retweets. Such is the power of his words.
Here’s what admirers of the young sporting legend and MBE have had to say:
Words of a hero. https://t.co/kPAKxrJ3oo
— Omid Scobie (@scobie) July 12, 2021
Apology? Are you kidding???? Your existence makes my children’s world a sweeter place. 23…its just the beginning! You are Marcus Rashford!!!!!!!! Imagine that!!! No finer person to be. https://t.co/Ko3Rd3BnPn
— Shaparak Khorsandi (@ShappiKhorsandi) July 12, 2021
Marcus, hold your head high. You have absolutely nothing to apologise for. https://t.co/RBqIK2QmRX
— Malorie Blackman (@malorieblackman) July 12, 2021
This kid is 23 and he’s wiser than I’ll be at 40. https://t.co/8cVkh7ZILE
— Shahak Shapira (@ShahakShapira) July 12, 2021
Marcus, no weapon fashioned against you shall prosper IJN. We got you my brother❤️ https://t.co/NZsTjxKuMk
— Dr Shola Mos-Shogbamimu (@SholaMos1) July 12, 2021
Incredibly honest, passionate and just an all round fantastic human being and role model❤️ https://t.co/uTRGirImjM
— Neil Robertson (@nr147) July 12, 2021
I think it’s life’s journey to discover who you are. @MarcusRashford knows at just 23. He stood up and took responsibility for not just his actions but the consequences. That’s maturity and leadership. A lesson that outweighs any apology. https://t.co/tvQLXntJo6
— Sanjeev Bhaskar💙 (@TVSanjeev) July 13, 2021
Take pride in knowing that your struggle will play the biggest role in your purpose https://t.co/rh8Roq5GP5 pic.twitter.com/nSN1uRuoPc
— Courtney Act (@courtneyact) July 12, 2021
What a wonderfully brave, open and honest message from Marcus Rashford about the match, the penalty, the vile racism and also the heartening support against it.
— Richard Burgon MP (@RichardBurgon) July 12, 2021
Characteristic of someone who on the pitch and off the pitch will continue to inspire millions for many years to come. https://t.co/K3UBRe8OMf
What an amazing, talented & elegant young man @MarcusRashford @England https://t.co/5fkIee2cWm
— Kate Mosse (@katemosse) July 13, 2021
23-year-old footballer continues to school a nation, and a shameless government, into how to be a decent person, and a good citizen.https://t.co/Rx6g90mN72
— Nick Harris (@sportingintel) July 12, 2021
Absolute class this 👏
— Daniel Mays 💙 (@DanielMays9) July 12, 2021
Keep your chin up @MarcusRashford. You’re a shining example of everything that is good in this great nation of ours 🏴 #hero @England https://t.co/ELakJcH5US
"I'm Marcus Rashford, 23 year old, black man from Withington and Wythenshawe, South Manchester. If I have nothing else I have that."
— nazir afzal (@nazirafzal) July 12, 2021
If I have nothing else, I have immense faith in the Next Generation to put right the things that we have got so wrong
They inspire me https://t.co/4lDtPVbLDO
Yesterday, Marcus Rashford missed a penalty in a EURO final shoot out. Today, he has penned one of most incredible, honest, vulnerable open letters you will ever receive from an athlete. Please take a moment to give this a read. It will open your eyes and make you feel Alive 🙌🏴 https://t.co/czBBcvsCVH
— roger bennett (@rogbennett) July 12, 2021
We’re so proud of you @MarcusRashford ❤️ https://t.co/SgYI4bQ2NY
— Manchester City Council (@ManCityCouncil) July 12, 2021
After the vandalised mural was enveloped in messages of love and support, Rashford’s team Manchester United tweeted a video of the scene, hailing their young star as an inspiration:
We're all behind you, @MarcusRashford.
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) July 12, 2021
As a player. As a person. As an inspiration to our club and our supporters. As a representation of hope that there is plenty more good than bad in the world ❤️#MUFC #ManUtd #Rashford pic.twitter.com/qPRxrKQXEz
The portrait, based on a photograph by Daniel Cheetham and painted by street artist Akse, was created last November in collaboration with community street art project Withington Walls. It was reportedly commissioned in recognition of Rashford’s free school meals campaign.
His mother provided the quote on the mural, which reads: “Take pride in knowing that your struggle will play the biggest role in your purpose.”
It was defaced within hours of England’s loss to Italy, with the f-word scrawled across it.
Greater Manchester Police Chief Superintendent Paul Savill said: “This is disgraceful behaviour and will absolutely not be tolerated.
“Greater Manchester prides itself on being made up from a number of diverse communities, and hate crime in any form is completely unacceptable and not welcome here in our city.
“GMP takes crimes of this nature very seriously and an investigation has been launched.”
An online fundraiser set up to repair the mural and keep maintaining it raised more than £25,000 within a matter of hours.
A post on the Crowdfunder page reads: “The England team may have lost, but they have done us proud on and off the pitch. This team has shown us the nation we can be. They have proved that diversity is our strength.
“We are unsure how much it is going to cost at this stage to repair, but anything raised beyond what it costs will likely be spent on funding CCTV coverage, protective paint or further artworks in the village. Any funding raised beyond our needs will be donated to anti-racism and food bank projects.”
Rashford’s inspiring work continues...
