The Newest Soccer Fan: Allen Iverson

By: Bob | October 3rd, 2006

Arsenal Striker Thierry Henry is a bigger fan of NBA basketball than most people we know. So much so that he hired a private jet to take him to meet his basketball hero, Philadelphia 76ers guard Allen Iverson, whose team is in Barcelona this week for a pre-season exhibition tour.

Odder couples there might be – Tom Cruise and David Beckham, for example – but the image of the fluid and graceful Henry becoming best friends forever with the scowling, gangster Iverson is an interesting one, especially since Iverson had little idea who the Arsenal striker was.

“We sat for half an hour chatting and he shared a lot of stories with me, about how competitive soccer is over here and how the fans are,” said Iverson who confessed he had little idea who his fan was until formally introduced. “I learned a lot talking to him and now I hope I get the chance to see some soccer games. I never played soccer in my life. Where I’m from, you don’t play soccer! But I definitely enjoy watching guys who are the best in other sports.”

When you think about it, Iverson actually would be quite well suited to play soccer. He is lightning fast and his undersized basketball frame would be just about ideal on the pitch. We would also fear for the life of any player who tried to head butt him.