You can tell when a sports star is one of the true greats when he or she is simply referred to by a christian name, nickname or initials. Pele, Tiger, Lance, Ali, The Fed, Schumi.
I could go on, but when I say "Jonny" we all know who I mean, especially the world of rugby. Jonny Wilkinson announced his retirement from test match rugby yesterday and it is doubtful we will ever see his like again.
I could go on about his 91 test caps, THAT drop goal that won the 2003 World Cup in Sydney in the dying seconds of extra time, or his standing in the game, of course. Was Jonny the best number ten ever? Probably not, at least not quite, because there have been better attacking fly halves than the Englishman. Was he the best kicker?
Well, the record books prove that only All Black Dan Carter has kicked more points than Jonny in the world. Was he the best defensive ten ever? He has to be up there, doesn't he? Did he maximise his talent? Yes, so much so that there was surface tension at the top of his personal tank.
Did he possess the ultimate work ethic? Without any doubt. Ask any English player who has worked alongside him and they will tell you of the long hours, self-sacrifice and dedication Wilko put into his art.
Did he have strength of character? How many others could bounce back after the long run of career-threatening injuries he has endured to play in two further world cups. Was he the best Englishman to ever wear the number ten jersey? For the above reasons he has to be.
Yet the Jonny I knew goes much deeper than this. A deeply considerate and courteous man, who was self-analytical to the point of self-destruction, who beat himself up privately and publicly over his perceived weaknesses, and only craved perfection away from the spotlight.
On both counts this was an impossible dream. We will be left with an image of bravery bordering on suicidal, a winning, mentality that is the embodiment of professionalism, a thoroghly decent human being and, well yes, THAT drop goal.
For that alone - one of two times my impartiality as a sports writer has deserted me as I rose from my stadium seat (the other was Usain Bolt) - I say thank you Jonny, and good luck with the rest of your life. You deserve it.
