BBC pundit Micah Richards has revealed that he learned of the tragic death of his father Lincoln just moments before going live on air for the BBC's coverage of England's World Cup match against Argentina. The former Manchester City and England defender was part of the BBC's punditry team in Atlanta alongside Wayne Rooney and Joe Hart on Wednesday evening.
Richards Worked Through Broadcast Despite Personal Tragedy
Richards worked through the broadcast as the Three Lions were eliminated from the World Cup, revealing the news shortly after the show went off the air. In a heartfelt statement, he wrote: 'Not long before going on air today, I received the awful news that my father Lincoln had passed away.' He accompanied the statement with a childhood photograph.
'His death was unexpected, and he has left us all too soon. He was my greatest fan. He barely missed a game my entire life. He would take me wherever I needed to go when I was a kid and he was the proudest parent possible during my professional career. It was so rare for him to not be by my side.'
Richards Pays Tribute to His Father's Support
Richards continued: 'I know how much watching England World Cup games means to everyone at home, and how the experience bonds families together across the generations, like nothing else. I know, particularly as a proud old-school Yorkshireman, dad would've wanted the show to go on this evening. And so it did.'
'Thinking of my siblings and all my wider family today as we remember my father Lincoln, my hero and inspiration.'
Richards' professional demeanor during the broadcast drew widespread admiration from viewers and colleagues alike, as he managed to deliver analysis and commentary while grappling with the sudden loss of his father.
