What does it take to be a legend?

Some say, numbers don’t lie. Yes, they don’t. But sometimes, it takes much more than numbers to know the impact of a sportsman. The impact the person has had on the sporting community, also on the people as a whole. To be a  legend, one doesn’t need numbers, one just has to win many hearts.

India, a cricket frenzy country, is mad about a cricketer named Sachin Tendulkar. Yes, he has the most number of runs in tests and one-days and many other records, yet people love him not just for the records. A great humanitarian, a simple person without getting involved into any major controversy, winning the peoples hearts with his bat and qualities likewise. But yet, there are some who have inspired people with their sheer determination and love for the sport.

Lance Amstrong. Accused of doping charges. Stripped of all of his Tour de France titles for withdrawing from the trials. So, does this mean he can be stripped off  the support he has got from millions of fans? Obviously not! Surviving the battle of cancer is a rare achievement in itself. And after that becoming one of the greatest cyclist ever, an achievement which can leave anyone speechless. He has been a role model to the millions of people who are facing the same battle he has faced. And many have over come it too, thanks to his foundation, Livestrong. A famous example, India’s poster boy Yuvraj Singh himself.

Yuvraj Singh’s story is as inspiring. A world cup victory, man of the series, nothing can go better for you as a cricketer. But he was crashed down by the shattering reality. Yet, he fought it like a true batsman would tackle the ferocious bowlers and came out successful. Now, Yuvraj Singh is fit and back to the game. An inspiring story, by an Indian point of view. But he is not the first one. Few know that Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi, India’s youngest test captain, played most of his cricket with one eye, or Anil Kumble, who once bowled against West Indies  after breaking his  jaw.

A person’s sporting records need not be the only indicator of the sportsperson’s greatness. Yes, with records one can be a great sportsman, but a person who  tackles ‘n’ number of obstacles, and achieves his  goal, and inspires others is a LEGEND.