Saturday, 17 March 2012 was just a normal day for many in this world but it turned out to be a day when football faced a reality check.
For 40 minutes at White Hart Lane in an FA Cup quarter-final between Tottenham Hotspur and Bolton Wanderers, there was the usual competitive action you would expect for such a big occasion.
A minute later, all of that was made academic and united the game in the miracle story of the year.
Stunned silence
Bolton midfielder Fabrice Muamba suddenly collapsed in the middle of the field, with no player around him at the time.
From an early stage, it became clear that this was a serious and grave issue.
Both medical teams rushed to the stricken 23-year-old and the player reactions were of shock and horror at what they were witnessing.
The ground fell into stunned silence – no-one could quite believe what they were seeing as emergency treatment was given out on the pitch to revive Muamba.
After around 10 minutes, he was stretchered off with efforts still going on to revive him. Referee Howard Webb blew the whistle to call the players off the pitch and subsequently, the match was abandoned.
He was critically ill in intensive care at the London Chest hospital and there wasn’t much hope. Everyone leaving the north London ground and those watching live on ESPN must have feared the worst.
Nine months later, Muamba (pictured) is now fighting fit and making his recovery. Although his football career was ended in August on medical advice, he has become an inspirational character to many within football.
On Tuesday night, he is the subject of the Sport Life Stories series, a documentary programme for ITV4.
Emotional return
In an interview with Gabriel Clarke, Muamba reveals: “I pushed myself too far, last season before the pre-season I went away to America for two weeks just to work, work, work.
”Just physically to work and get myself in a good condition to come back and play in the Premier League again.
“I was fit but I wanted to be even fitter, I wanted to come back even fitter than the other guys…I think I pushed myself very far to the point where, maybe I went too far with it.”
The programme will also show Muamba’s first emotional return to White Hart Lane in November, when he was introduced to the crowd at half-time of Tottenham’s recent UEFA Europa League tie with Maribor.
It was an emotional night for all concerned at the ground and the former Arsenal and Birmingham City player has coped incredibly well despite having to make the tough decision to give up the game he loves.
The support that he received in the days after the distressing scenes at Spurs was amazing to see.
The whole football world came together to offer their good wishes, even in Spain with Barcelona and Real Madrid players wearing t-shirts saying ‘Get well soon Fabrice.’
It didn’t matter who you supported, or if you religious or not, you just had to pray for Muamba and hope for a miracle.
The miracle came true. As it later emerged, he was clinically dead for 78 minutes after collapsing on the field of play.
Getting stronger with every day
Not only does it show the advances in medical technology available but also it was the quick action of paramedics, club doctors and all the medical teams from both Tottenham and Bolton that saved Muamba’s life.
He was released from hospital in April and made a poignant return to the Reebok Stadium in May to watch Bolton’s Premier League home game with Tottenham.
Muamba is getting stronger with every day which is pleasing and great to see. He received an honorary doctorate from Bolton University in the summer.
In October, he got married to his wife Shauna in Cheshire. He is due to appear on the BBC Christmas special of Strictly Come Dancing and is now supporting the new campaign partnership between the British Heart Foundation and the FA.
Fabrice Muamba’s tale is a story of extraordinary survival and a real proof of fighting against all the odds.
His story is the miracle of 2012, not just in football or the sporting world but generally around the world in news.
This documentary to be screened on Tuesday night will be emotional to see but it should be a must-watch for any football fan.
Watch Fabrice Muamba’s story on Sport Life Stories: Fabrice Muamba on ITV4 on Tuesday night at 10pm or catch up on the series on ITV Player.
By Simon Wright – Follow me on Twitter @Siwri88
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