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THERE IS ONLY ONE ONANDI LOWE!
"Good things come out of the garrisons" after his daughter won the 100m Gold For Jamaica.
"It therefore is useless and pointless, unless it is for share malice and victimisation to arrest and charge a 92-year-old man for such a simple offence. There is nothing morally wrong with this man smoking a spliff; the only thing wrong is that it is still on the law books," said Chevannes. -
Tuffy Silences Naysayers
Published: Friday | September 13, 2013 5 Comments
Jermaine 'Tuffy' Anderson is swarmed by fans after his heroics against Costa Rica. - Photos by Ricardo Makyn/Staff Photographer
Jermaine 'Tuffy' Anderson is swarmed by fans after his heroics against Costa Rica. - Photos by Ricardo Makyn/Staff Photographer
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By Orville Higgins
Like most football fans in Jamaica, I was ecstatic when Jermaine 'Tuffy' Anderson slotted home in the dying stages of the World Cup Qualifier against Panama on Tuesday night. The moment was significant for so many reasons.
Tuffy has catapulted himself into being something of a national crowd favourite. Very few sportsmen in our history have expressed such open determination to represent his country. Very few would have worked so hard to achieve his stated desire.
Many of us could identify with him. Here is someone supremely confident of his own ability and wasn't prepared to let his detractors get him down. He has always felt he was good enough and kept asking for a chance to show what he can do.
Many of the naysayers questioned his age. In his mid-30s, he was seen to be too 'geriatric' to be able to contribute. When some of us pointed out that he has been the top goalscorer in our local league, for two years running, despite his advancing years, it was claimed that he was merely a bully in a weak Premier League, and that he would never cut it at the national level.
Those in the hierarchy of the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) cannot escape blame for this perception. The quality of our league may not be the best in the world but , the top brass at the JFF, plus those who selected our national teams in the past, have been guilty of creating the impression that our local players wouldn't be able to compete at the top CONCACAF levels. It's not true.
mistaken notion
The other mistaken notion that has taken root is that merely because someone is playing professionally abroad, he is automatically better than somebody who plays locally. That's an illogical and even dangerous way to think. The fact that CONCACAF has better teams than Jamaica doesn't necessarily mean that it always has better players.
Tuffy, at times, was ridiculed as an overhyped baller trying to promote himself. That he didn't give up his dream means that he is tough mentally, as well as anything else. He doesn't come with the polish and the diction of the sophisticated Jamaican. He speaks and looks like the typical Jamaican ghetto youth. We wouldn't ask him to give the after-dinner speech at a black-tie affair but, in football circles, we couldn't care less.
Some of us who see him week in, week out, recognise his qualities as a goalscorer. He knows his way inside the box, kicks well with either feet, and has this instinctive ability to shake off defenders and get himself free in and around the area. He is also aggressive, persistent and, invariably, super fit. Those skills mean you will score goals in corner leagues as well as the World Cup.
defining moment
When Tuffy scored, we weren't just celebrating a goal, we weren't just happy that the goal kept the pulse of the Reggae Boyz slightly beating on the operating table when, otherwise, they would be left for dead. When we saw the ball cross the line after that precise run, when we saw Tuffy cleverly used his left foot to squeeze it home, rather than the right foot at that very acute angle, the stadium roared, and the entire Jamaica seemed to reverberate the echo.
No, we weren't merely celebrating a goal. We were also expressing kindred spirit with someone who many of us have come to admire. Tuffy's goal, therefore, came as a relief, but not so much a surprise.
And how does Theodore Whitmore feel now? I remember interviewing Tappa' and asked him why on earth Tuffy was not being selected. He told me that he came with too many flaws, and that he doesn't have the time to work on them. I remember thinking at the time that unlike the overseas-based players, Tuffy lives here, and the coach could, therefore, have all the time in the world to work with him. I didn't buy the answer at all.
I also wondered that for someone who has been such a prolific scorer, he must have some strengths and those should be utilised. Whitmore must now feel a little embarrassed, but he wouldn't be the only one.
Tuffy and his goal should serve as an inspiration to every youth who has a desire. It should also serve as a lesson to football administrators.
Orville Higgins is a sports journalist and talk-show host on KLAS FM. Email feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com.Last edited by Sir X; September 13, 2013, 06:55 PM.THERE IS ONLY ONE ONANDI LOWE!
"Good things come out of the garrisons" after his daughter won the 100m Gold For Jamaica.
"It therefore is useless and pointless, unless it is for share malice and victimisation to arrest and charge a 92-year-old man for such a simple offence. There is nothing morally wrong with this man smoking a spliff; the only thing wrong is that it is still on the law books," said Chevannes. -
Reasons for Tappa & Burrell to be sacked ...aaaah sahh , man nuh ave time fi deal wid im flaws ?..cost us a campaign ..like all the other administrative flaws and campaigns.THERE IS ONLY ONE ONANDI LOWE!
"Good things come out of the garrisons" after his daughter won the 100m Gold For Jamaica.
"It therefore is useless and pointless, unless it is for share malice and victimisation to arrest and charge a 92-year-old man for such a simple offence. There is nothing morally wrong with this man smoking a spliff; the only thing wrong is that it is still on the law books," said Chevannes.Comment
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THERE IS ONLY ONE ONANDI LOWE!
"Good things come out of the garrisons" after his daughter won the 100m Gold For Jamaica.
"It therefore is useless and pointless, unless it is for share malice and victimisation to arrest and charge a 92-year-old man for such a simple offence. There is nothing morally wrong with this man smoking a spliff; the only thing wrong is that it is still on the law books," said Chevannes.Comment
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Not a Oral Tracy fan but he was on point with his views on this one. The turn out for the games played in Jamaica was embarrassing. Long before the CR game and when we still were in with a chance, I was disappointed with the fan support for the USA and Mexico game. The crowds remind me of the support pre-Simones. I guess the Captain and his crew must be feeling sheepish and inept around this time. The players alone cannot share the burden of this failed campaign. I think the majority of the blame lies with the administrators of the National program.Comment
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Who is that number 7 playing up front for Jamaica?
He had the nerve to throw up his hands when Tuffy missed that most difficult of chances. How many goals has that #7 scored for Jamaica? How many that day? I notice he wasn't too happy when Tuffy did score?
I need to find out who that number 7 was.
BLACK LIVES MATTERComment
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Most difficult? Woieeee...at least you can now bring yourself to admit it was a missed chance...this forum is pure jokes...yappers contradicting demself daily...
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Did I ever say it was not a missed chance? Brickie...yuh just yap fi nutten now?!?!
The posts are recent. Produce my statements on the matter or STFU!
BLACK LIVES MATTERComment
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Hey...we can disagree without being disrespectful...everyone remembers what you said
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Good sensible talk."Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."Comment
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Ohhh...so this is the Tuffy Anderson I've been hearing about. Glad i got to meet him .Originally posted by X View Post
Well what can i say...he is typical 100% Jamaican stock. Can't blame the locals for wanting a local hero.
I like Tuffy's zeal and self confidence. Glad he also got his age-paper.
Yes PR, I know what age-paper is...The only time TRUTH will hurt you...is if you ignore it long enough
HLComment
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Was it an easy chance?
I certainly do not think it was. However, if you still stick to it being an easy chance please breakdown Tuffy's actions and give your explanation on why the chance was 'buttah"?"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."Comment
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One on one chance against the keeper...doesn't come much easier than that
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We jump puppa-lick for the goal and the way Tuffy runs off his defender(s). We also rejoice at his movements...
...but do not jump puppa-lick on his fitting in TEAM.
As I said to Orville Higgins on his program sometime past - he has his faults and his usefulness or no will depend on 'good' teaching and his willingness to learn.
Here is what we never saw in the game - His passing ability.
...and here is where my heart stopped beating during the match v Costa Rica his 'ruffin hup' without any rhyme or reason of his opponents/serious foul play & violent conduct twice on opponents The first time he did it...I gave him a pass. Only a smile I gave as I said, he is nervous=nervous energy. Understandable.
The second time he did that brutalizing of an opponent my heart stopped as held my breath on whether or not the ref was take direct action of caution or expulsion against him.
In both instances the 'ruffness' was uncalled for and made no damn sense...that equals ANTI-TEAM behaviour. ...so my verdict on how he shall fare in the future is still out."Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."Comment
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Yuh talking to Brickie as if him ever kick a football in him life. He has no clue what constitutes a chance on goal, difficult or easy.
BLACK LIVES MATTERComment
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