Read about our approach to external linking. We use your sign-up to provide content in the ways you've consented to and improve our understanding of you. Simpson once dreamed of making it to the very top. The tragic dichotomy between earning a contract and falling into crime is a prevailing theme and the statistics reveal the horrifying extent of this scourge. Rio Ferdinand: 'Racism will be in players' minds in high-pressure World Greenwich-born Eberechi Eze was released from Arsenal, Fulham, Reading and Millwall before his prodigious talent was finally recognised by Queens Park Rangers. Even with my background in football, you could still see doors closing and people unwilling to talk. Rio Ferdinand Biography, Age, Height, Wife, Net Worth, Family Ideally, he made his first foray into the world of cinema in late 2008. Financing and becoming an executive producer of Alex de Rakoffs film Dead Man Running. But he would make up for it in the off season. He was a part-time lifeguard during a spell at non-League Tooting & Mitcham United and is now one of the Premier Leagues most personable players and prolific forwards. If youre from south London, cage football is what youve done from young. She gave birth to the couples first son, Lorenz, in 2006 and a second son called Tate, followed three years later. Families in Football: Anton and Rio Ferdinand - Last Word on Football Rio Ferdinand: Being Mum and Dad wins Best Single Documentary - YouTube Rio and his late wife Rebecca had their wedding in the Caribbean. And doing another documentary could help . Yes, he says. London team West Ham United was to be his footballing home, however, and he joined theiryouth systemin 1992. There isnt much that Ferdinand has not tried his hand at since he retired. It is titled Kate And Rio: Becoming A Stepfamily and follows the journey of Kate and Rio becoming a new family with Rio's three children. Yes, its been hard work for him but hes hitting the right notes, not only on the pitch , But Lasarow has had enough of the football talk. When we saw him he was like a broken man., The best of our sports journalism from the past seven days and a heads-up on the weekends action. Recently, it has been reported that Rio has struck up a relationship with formerTowie star Kate Wright and the pair were spotted enjoying drinks with each otherin London. Soon,Ferdinands reliance and experience caught the eye of newly-promoted Queens Park Rangers when they were promoted. In 2021, he opened up how he, privately forced another British record deal, Ferguson stripped him of the vice-captaincy, Anton and Rio grew up in an inclusive environment. In 2015, his wife and the mother of his three children, Rebecca Ellison, died of cancer aged 34. Grime superstars Stormzy and Dave, the voices of an empowered generation, also originate from the area. He made a desperately moving documentary about life after the death of Rebecca, Being Mum and Dad; wrote an equally moving book about it with the journalist Decca Aitkenhead; started a clothing line; became a football pundit; campaigned against leaving the EU and knife crime; visited schools and prisons. Rebecca, my wonderful wife, passed away peacefully after a short battle with cancer at the Royal Marsden Hospital in London. Whether trying to get footballers, their agents or clubs to discuss racism, sexuality and mental health, even a former player as famous as Ferdinand struggled to engender open conversations. It transports us back to a time when, unaware of the malign influences permeating the games upper echelons, all we had was a football and a dream. When did Rio Ferdinand marry Kate? - Metro Commenting on the new documentary, Kate and Rio Ferdinand say: "The positive response to Being Mum And Dad in 2017 and the way it helped others going through a similar situation was overwhelming . We hope Becoming A Step Family will give a unique insight into step families and the journey through grief, whilst also providing an intimate look at our lives together., Alison Kirkham, Controller of Factual Commissioning, says: Id like to thank Rio and Kate for opening up their lives to us in such an intimate and personal way. Its a murky world. Being seen as a colour turned to be treated as god-like. The analysis of Rio Ferdinands Biography involves his Childhood Story, Early Life, Parents, Family background, Late Wife (Rebecca Ellison), Lifestyle, Net Worth and Personal Life. io Ferdinand has experienced terrible loss in recent years. R io Ferdinand has experienced terrible loss in recent years. All rights reserved. Ferdinand shared some of their findings with the Football Policing Unit and, so far, 12 cases of racist hate crime are being investigated. All rights reserved. Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right. Subscribe and to the BBC https://bit.ly/BBCYouTubeSubWatch the BBC first on iPlayer https://bbc.in/iPlayer-Home If you've been affected by any of th. Everyones had a mental health problem in some shape or form, its just identifying it and then hitting it head on and meeting it, but again, its a cultural shift., I ask Ferdinand what he thinks of himself as now, primarily a football pundit, entrepreneur or campaigner? Does he think he has changed since retiring? Read about our approach to external linking. There was a sincerity about him I really liked.. 2016. . There is no love lost between the pair after Chelsea legend Terry was accused of. Last season, there was a 66 per cent rise in the number of hate crimes reported at professional football games in England and Wales. Following grandstanding performances with the Hammers, and his first cap for England (he would go on to make 81), he was catching the eye of the heavyweights. Video, 00:02:54, Will Bellingham stay or move? Trying to penetrate the ecosystem of football was so difficult. In the BBC one documentary Rio Ferdinand: Being Mum and Dad, the former England international opened up about their relationship. The ex-QPR ace will reflect on the abuse he has faced on the. Ideally, by age 10, he got invited to train at the Queens Park Rangers academy, where his football dreams kicked off. I like Gordon Brown. When it happened it was like your life just comes to a standstill. The Earlsfield-born Jamaica international even reveals AFC Wimbledon refused to pay his 7 registration fee before he was picked up by Reading in 2008. At school, he focused on maths and one day, he revelled in the opportunity to perform before an audience during a school production of Bugsy Malone. Watch Rio Ferdinand: Tipping Point Season 1 | Prime Video - Amazon The great thing about genetics, he says, and what were doing is it can impact anybody or anyone, anywhere, Brexit or no Brexit. I look at him, gobsmacked. So youve got to be coached right, and the players have got to believe in what theyre being coached, which this group of players do.. My advice would be to never lose faith.. The culture I was in at West Ham was a drinking culture. So what did he discover? The defender was also banned from driving on three separate occasions during his playing days. Rio Ferdinand and Kate Wright have featured in their own documentary. Now Im 101kg (15st 13lb), but comfortable. In the second documentary he visits his sister, Remi, who is gay, and he plays her an audio clip in which he is heard using homophobic language during a 2006 interview with Chris Moyles. I always say to people who ask if I have any regrets about playing, I wouldnt have drunk alcohol. Did he drink more than most footballers? Timings (where shown) are from the start of the programme in hours and minutes. Get instant access to the BT Sport app, with no contract and no BT broadband required. How much do you spend a month at the gym? Just like his brother, he was a product of theWest Ham United academy. Respectable mid-table finishes came and went without any great deal of fuss. This is the next stage in the families journey following the Bafta award-winning and critically-acclaimed documentary, Rio Ferdinand: Being Mum And Dad. The BBC has long been committed to tackling mental health issues and Rio Ferdinands programme on bereavement in 2017 helped bring the conversation into the open. He is certainly bigger 16kg (2st 7lb) heavier, a brick wall of a man, with arms like surfboards. I ask Ferdinand if he would fancy going into politics. It is only nights that can still undo me. Grassroots funding has been cut by almost a third over the past five years. Welcome to Last Word on Footballs Families in Football series. Do you know? Ferdinands Mum was only 17 when she had him. Video, 00:00:43, I'm proud of my players - Chelsea's Hayes, Will Bellingham stay or move? Signify also suggests that 50% of online racial abuse relating to football is aimed at three players: Raheem Sterling, Wilfried Zaha and Adebayo Akinfenwa, who retired in May. BBC Radio 1 later dismissed the exchange as banter, while Tatchell said since [he] very promptly apologised, I am happy to accept his regret and leave it at that. They didnt have to tell me a lot about being part of the fabric of the community and being vocal about things. From a number of his followers who suggested it was inappropriate. Both parents worked so hard to support the family. Read about our approach to external linking. Before separating, both parties promised to still remain close to their children. South Of The River, a docuseries available to watch on BT Sport and Netflix, explores the exponential rise of players from the area and takes an unflinching look at the associated social problems including knife crime, gang culture and funding cuts. In 2020, black males aged 18-24 were 19 times more likely to be stopped and searched than the general population. I had the blinkers on. Their separations gave birth to her Lavender surname. But how did she die? Ferdys parents never got married, and they separated when he was 14 years old. Rio Ferdinand Childhood Story Plus Untold Biography Facts. Heartbreaking but hopeful, South Of River is so much more than a sports docuseries. Rio Ferdinand had a long and illustrious career as a footballer. He was born to his late Irish mother, Janice Lavender and a Saint Lucian father, Julian Ferdinand. The World Cup will feature heavily on social medias febrile platforms and Ferdinand knows that more hate and prejudice are likely. No. Matt Smith - IMDb Mrs St Fort died at St Guy's Hospital today with her crushed family around her. For a role model for young people to endorse gambling. Something went wrong, please try again later. by making a documentary about racism in football for the BBC. Eighty per cent of those discarded players develop depression and Ferdinand explains that of the 1.5 million boys who play representative youth football in England, only 180 make it to the Premier League. So for me this is definitely a learning experience.. I had a natural ability that could get me through that period of my life. He is one of the most decorated English footballers of all time and regarded by many as one of England's . The rest, as they say, is now history. In 2020, 14 percent of the Premier Leagues English-born players came from ten square miles of south London. In 2008, Ferdinand filmed a documentary about Peckham, aiming to persuade youngsters away from a life of crime. The jump barely fazed Anton, who is seven years Rios junior, and his teammates as West Ham finished ninth in 2005. In 2015, his wife and the mother of his three children, Rebecca Ellison, died of cancer aged 34. In a powerful section of his documentary on racism, Ferdinand meets technology experts at a data company called Signify and they show him how easy it is to trace abusive messages and to. How does he feel about Brexit now? Anton Ferdinand is following in brother Rio's TV footsteps. As well as the football, he was a promising gymnast and ballet dancer, attending the Central School of Ballet for four years. Then in 2017 his mother, Janice St. At the end they said my hamstrings are not long enough. Did it improve him as a footballer? 2023 BBC. since [he] very promptly apologised, I am happy to accept his regret and leave it at that. Yes. Now, without further ado, lets Begin. To date, there are two artists signed to the label: Melody Johnston and Nia Jai. On the field, Ferdinand retired with more than 500 Premier League appearances, 11 Premier League goals, countless accolades and the unique mantle of being a football great. Rio confirmed his beloved wifes death in a heartbreaking statement that read: My soul mate slipped away last night. His fantastic season put him on the brink of breaking into the squad, but a hernia operation forced him out of contention. remind the viewer that this is based on real life. While they realised the significance of being black men, Anton and Rio grew up in an inclusive environment. But they cant tackle discrimination. Ferdys mum endured racism during her time with his dad. You could see the fibres in my body when I was walking about when I played cos I was so lean. The first thing he wanted to do after he quit football was bulk up not least because he fancied becoming a professional boxer. The film features Danny Dyer and 50 Cent in a gangster-themed plot. Of course, theres a price because its a science; theres a commercial aspect. Channel 4 aired a brief clip as part of their 2004 documentary S*x, Footballers and Videotape, claiming it was used to remind the viewer that this is based on real life. The former Manchester United and England defender is in. Ferdinands superior footballing abilities were evident even as a child: when he was 11 years old, his youth coach, David Goodwin, remarked: Im going to call you Pel, son, I like the way you play.. As soon as the Manchester United star retired from football in 2015 after a trophy-laden career. The siblings lined up on opposite ends on seven occasions, with Rio winning four and Anton taking home thee. Theyre living and breathing them every day. He said: "I realised that if I wanted to make it work, we needed help. Again, She will be missed as a wife, sister, aunt, daughter and granddaughter. The fact that hes invited me to the board meeting is a step in the right direction. Leeds needed to sell and Ferdinand knew this. Last month, BBC Threes Shame In The Game shone a light on the issue in English football, from a grassroots level right up to the Premier League. So it was difficult for me to admit it but that vulnerability probably makes other people think: That was me as well. It shows a way out to the other side [of homophobia] as long as you educate yourself and have empathy., In another revealing moment Ferdinand asks whether it is acceptable to participate in banter, which borders on homophobia, in straight company. Tim Williams, Published: 13 September 2022, 3.24pm | 4min Read. Those young black footballers missed penalties in the shootout that secured Italys victory over England in the final of the European Championship last year. I hope he and the Premier League are true to their word.. It was a different culture. Home Office stats suggest it is a growing problem. The service was described as a celebration of Rebeccas life. If you see something that doesnt look right in this article, please place your comment or contact us! Simon, sorry to deflect away from that, he says. Ferdinand is emphatic that, as shown by the ability of NBA stars such as LeBron James and Chris Paul to confront racism in the US, the real power lies with current players who have the fame and social media followings to force governing bodies to take action.