See also: Sonny Bill Williams’ BMW sponsorship reviewed over links to controversial Muslim clerics
Sonny Bill Williams has been hailed as a “classy legend” over a heartwarming post-match gesture to a young fan.
The All Blacks came back from a devastating semifinal defeat to England last weekend to defeat Wales 40-17 in what was Williams’ final outing in the black jersey.
Shortly after the game, Williams kicked off his boots on the sideline before approaching the stands packed with adoring fans. Spotting a young Japanese boy in an All Blacks hat holding a New Zealand flag, Williams smiled and passed up his boots to the boy before waving at the crowd.
A video of Williams’ gracious act was posted to the Rugby World Cup Twitter page, where fans praised the 34-year-old’s gesture.
“One of the classiest players to ever grace the pitch! Always an amazing watch!” one fan wrote.
“What a guy!!! Huge respect,” wrote another.
In 2015, Williams made headlines for similar reasons when he gave his World Cup gold medal away to 14-year-old Charlie Line.
Line was tackled by a security guard as he ran on the pitch during the All Blacks’ lap of honour.
Williams hugged the boy and walked him back into the stands where he took off his medal and hung it around Line’s neck. Williams later said he felt sorry for the “little fella” and that he wanted to make the night more memorable for him.
I have several pictures of SBW visiting people supposedly injured in the “terrorist attack” of March 15, but showing no visible signs of injury. One has to wonder whether he was aware of what really happened (or didn’t happen) that day, or whether he was deceived along with everyone else.
The alleged “self-promotion” on the rugby field is not important.