Then you remember what's important.

So, I'm watching the Sevilla FC match in replay right now. Their season opener was with Getafe CF. It's a pretty important match for a team once again making a go at winning La Liga (the Spanish first division of pro-soccer for you US/non-fans). They did really well last year, got a little unlucky during season play, but still managed to not only win Copa del Rey, against Getafe actually, but were also UEFA Cup Champions and won the Supercopa de España (which is a match between the winner of La Liga vs. the winner of Copa del Rey, a bit of revenge against Real Madrid).

This season starts a little difficult as one of their greatest players, Dani Alves, is looking to make a move to the English Premier League. But they picked up a few good players and still have a lot of strength from last season.

Why all the build-up? Well, this opener was a bit difficult because Getafe was able to score rather quickly to begin the match and then were able to hang on to this 1-0 lead through the entire first half even though they had one player removed early on (22 minute) and then a second player was red carded in the last couple minutes of the half. They were still able to pull it out in the second half, finally picking up four goals with some rather impressive play, even if it was a couple extra players. But this is not the reason for this post...

The real reason is ... I ... watched a man have a heart attack. Near the end of the second half Antonio Puerta crouched down after a play and then collapsed onto the pitch. Players ran to his aid, some signaled for managers to come over, a close up on the player showed one of his teammates prying open his mouth to pull out his tongue so he wouldn't choke on it. Within a minute or two he was up and even walked off the pitch by himself. But according to at least one story he then collapsed again and was rushed to the hospital after being given cardiac resuscitation.

I had read a little about this prior to watching the match but it really was hard to actually see it happen. Even knowing prior, the build up and anticipation were not too bad, but when he actually went down I found myself screaming at the tv, "there he is, get him." Not sure where that came from but, man, he could have died right there. Evidently he still is having trouble, I've checked his wikipedia page and a few other stories that have him still in intensive care and in a "very serious" condition. Sevilla FC player or not, I wish him the best and I have to say I really appreciate the way the coach responded to questions after the match.

From the BBC story:

Sevilla coach Juande Ramos was in no mood to talk about his side's victory after the match.

"I don't have the mind to speak now. The reason I am here is because we are all professionals, but I have no desire to talk of the game or anything," Ramos said.

"I would like to see the player. The game does not have any importance compared with the health of a player."

Just a little reminder the game can be great, but there is always something much more important.

Edit: As a small addition to the Alves story... The small Brazilian international with a huge amount of talent and drive is up to no good. I always love watching him on the pitch. Unfortunately he's decided he really wants to leave the team and move "up" to the English Premier League. I'm not a fan of that for many reasons. Anyway, there was an offer on the table from a large team but it never came to fruition. Now he seems pissed and well...has decided to play hookie from the team, which makes nobody happy.

I don't know the full story, and he seems like a really nice and cool kinda guy from what little I've read about him, but this just makes me unhappy with whiny pro-athletes who get grumpy even though they are paid MILLIONS to play a sport I've enjoyed playing for free...or having to pay to be able to play it.

Again, I don't know the full story, but I'm slowly losing respect for him and hope this gets worked out quickly. He still wants to be traded this season, but I'm still hoping he'll stick around, help Sevilla win La Liga this season and then he can go to the EPL for even more money.