Sunderland's Andy Reid deserves credit for classy Calum Davenport tribute

By Brian McNally

Published 11:21 28/08/09

• 

Follow Brian McNally on Twitter

The ranks of professional football are awash with insensitive, self-centred prima donnas.

It was therefore refreshing to hear Sunderland and Republic of Ireland midfielder Andy Reid dedicate part of his man-of-the-match television interview after Sunderland's Carling Cup win over Norwich City to the seriously-injured Calum Davenport.

The West Ham defender, badly injured in a knife attack, may have finished his loan spell at Sunderland, but the compassionate Reid publicly assured him that everyone at the Stadium of Light was thinking of him and wishing him well.

It would have been easy for the new slimline Reid - he lost a stone after hiring a personal trainer this summer- to dwell on a dazzling display that produced two exquisite finishes.

But the sincerity and emotion of Reid's comments showed that his ability on the field is matched by his class off it.

A touching moment from a week when football was scarred by the shameful cheating of Eduardo and the sickening antics of rampaging West Ham and Millwall yobs.

Take a bow, Andy Reid.

Do you agree that most footballers are insensitive and self-centred? Log in and post your views.

Fancy winning £3,000 for FREE this month? Play Mirror Football Streak for your chance to win cash prizes! Start predicting now!