We often hear the term ‘Football Legend’ being used, sometimes overused to describe certain individuals but what does it really mean? Well, this is a real life example of what it means. It buys the legend time and nearly always affords them the benefit of the doubt. The media either buries the story/s or underplays its importance and attempts to undermines the victim/s. It offers cover that the rest of us aren’t entitled to and keeps doors open that should have been shut years ago. In WA, first was Graeme Farmer, then Barry Cable. There was once even a prime time television program called “Barry Cable, Please Don’t Die” when he was crushed by a tractor in a farming accident. Then came the charity rides that only reinforced the image of supreme brilliance. These allegations have been whispered over here for decades. Police have resigned over suspicions that charges against Cable were never laid despite being sufficient evidence to proceed due to the intervention of senior colleagues. That’s the real benefit of being good at footy. Doesn’t mean you will get away with it but it guarantees you will always be kicking with the breeze.
Another sad story
It will be interesting to see how this plays out as I presume it will come down to witness testimony given there wouldn’t be much (if any) physical evidence left.
Unfortunately for Hayes, and despite Heaney’s prior conviction, if you took character references from people who knew them both in that time period (myself included) all would say Heaney was as close to a model citizen as you could get while even prior to the alleged incident Hayes had a reputation of being a bit unreliable.
Irrespective sounds like Hayesy has had a really tough time of things since I knew him and I hope he’s able to sort his life out one way or another.
Not sure l want to read another story about things like this.
Saw him interviewed on ABC news the other night.
He was wiping away tears at one stage. Sad.