Nov
11
Robert Enke’s Tragic Death
Filed Under General | Leave a Comment
The football world is mourning Hannover 96 captain and German International goalkeeper Robert Enke, who committed suicide on November 10th, 2009. News sources say he left a suicide letter and jumped in front of an express train, a result of several years of battling depression. Germany’s friendly match with Chile was canceled, and teams around the Bundesliga will wear black armbands and observe a minute’s silence in this weekend’s fixtures.
Enke was a highly-regarded keeper, having truly established himself at Hannover, where he made 164 appearances and was twice voted best keeper in the Bundesliga. Before that he had spells at Borussia Monchengladbach and Portuguese champions Benfica, as well as spent a brief period at Barcelona. He was a member of Germany’s Euro 2008 squad, but only managed eight international caps due to competition from Oliver Khan and Jens Lehman. He was strongly regarded to be first choice keeper for the upcoming 2010 World Cup, but unfortunately will now never get that opportunity.
Tragedies like this make one open his eyes to the reality of football, which is that it is not always bed and roses. Many people believe that footballers simply train a few hours a day and go home with their big paychecks to their luxurious lifestyles, but what is forgotten is that they are people too, and things like this can happen. Enke had lost his infant daughter due to a rare heart-condition, an event he never quite came to terms with. But regardless of the specific circumstances and reasons, it is a sad week for football and he will be missed.