In memory of former player Joey Benjamin, the three bowlers and the rest of England's 11 are wearing black armbands today. Why are England's armbands black? England is paying respect to Benjamin, who died earlier this week following a heart attack. He was 34.
England players wear black armbands during international cricket to show respect to those who have died. The practice began when Charles Frederick Worth created a new style of bowler's arm protector which he called a "blackguard". This name came from the word "blackball" - which at that time meant to reject someone for employment or admission into a club.
Worth also invented the first safety helmet for football players. He presented his ideas to several European clubs but they were not accepted until the English Football Association took up sponsorship of one team, West Ham United. That was in 1893. Before then, players often lost their teeth or suffered other injuries due to lack of protection.
In addition to his inventions, Worth became famous for his beautiful women. He married five times and had two children with four different women. His last marriage was to an American woman named Evelyn Nesbit. They divorced in 1909 after only six months of marriage. Evelyn later claimed that Worth had raped her when they were still married. This caused a big scandal at the time because people thought these kinds of marriages would be better for business.
If you've ever seen a football match, you've probably noticed that some players wear black armbands. Armbands are used to commemorate catastrophic events. These can be historical anniversaries such as Hillsborough or the Munich air catastrophe. A black armband is often worn as a gesture of grief.
Armbands are attached to the body with tape. They are usually placed above the elbow in front of the shoulder. There are two reasons why football players wear black armbands. The first is as a mark of respect for those who have died. The second is as a mark of solidarity for those who remain alive.
In international matches, both teams will wear armbands in memory of those who have died. In domestic games, it is up to each club to decide what action they want to take. Some clubs may choose not to wear armbands while others may want to change their normal match attire for the day.
There have been times when athletes have worn armbands but never at a major sporting event. An example is American sprinter Jesse Owens who wore an armband during the 1936 Olympic Games in Berlin. He wore it in remembrance of fellow American Ralph Boston who had died a few months before. This was not enough reason for Owens to withdraw from the competition though. He went on to win four gold medals and set three world records.
A black armband in Western culture indicates that the wearer is in mourning or desires to connect with the memorial of a deceased family member, friend, comrade, or team member. After the death of a former player or manager, it is customary for a team to wear black armbands in their following match. This gesture is intended to show support for the family and friends of the deceased.
In Europe, Asia, and North America, people often wear black armbands to show support for causes such as terrorism, world peace, or social justice.
In South Africa, people wore armbands during the apartheid era to show support for white rights activists who were imprisoned or killed by police forces during protests against racial segregation. Today, armbands are worn to protest racial inequality and violence throughout the country.
In Israel, people wear black armbands to show solidarity with those suffering from natural disasters or other tragedies.
In Japan, people wear armbands to show support for victims of terrorism or other violence.
In France, Germany, and Russia, people wear armbands with blue bands to show support for victims of violent crime or terrorists; red bands are used for people who have been murdered.
Gray armbands are worn by civilians who have lost their lives in acts of war.
Joe Root and company performed the gesture to honor world war veteran Captain Sir Tom Moore, who died earlier this week at the age of 100. On the opening day of the first Test against India at Chennai's Chepauk Stadium on Friday, England's cricket players wore black armbands.
Root said in a statement: "It's a mark of respect for someone who has made such a big contribution to English cricket and we would be doing exactly the same thing if it was someone else."
Moore played 22 Tests for England between 1907 and 1911, scoring more than 1000 runs with a average of 50. He also took 10 wickets with a best of 3-40.
He lived through some dramatic times - the Lord's test match against Australia in 1908 when he was involved in a incident with Charles Bannerman where both men were banned from further play after fighting on the pitch; and the infamous Black Week in 1910 when the five major cricketing countries went into decline due to the death of their leading players including Moore.
He helped bring back cricket to England after its collapse during the first World War, but died in 1936 aged only 37 years old.
Root is expected to wear the armband throughout the remainder of the series.
India won the toss and decided to bat first which meant that Root's armband stayed in the dressing room.
Other black males who have worn the armband include Paul Ince and Sol Campbell. Raheem Sterling became England's seventh black captain on Thursday when he was selected to lead the team out against Holland. The 17-year-old has four caps to his name so far.
England head into their World Cup campaign as favourites, with some bookmakers offering odds of 1/7 (14 percent) on them being knocked out first. However, former captain John Terry believes it is important that more young players are given opportunities within the national side.
The Chelsea defender said: "I think it's important because you look at the World Cup teams over the years and they always seem to have a few youngsters in them. You look at France 98 or Germany 2006 and there were a lot of young players in those teams that went on to be successful."
Terry is hopeful that more young players will get chances under new manager Roy Hodgson. The former Liverpool boss took over from Steve McClaren last month after the latter was fired following a string of poor results.
"I think it's important that young players are given opportunities - especially if you're not playing regularly at your club team," Terry added. "You need to prove yourself to get a call-up to the full squad or the main group.
It is currently customary for AFL teams to wear armbands during games in memory of a team member's friend or family who has died. A black armband symbolizes respect, honor, and contemplation, which is exactly what we need to cope with Tasmania's brutal history, notably the crimes committed during the first three decades of British occupation.
The practice began when Melbourne played Richmond in 1897. The spectators was so impressed by the courage and stoicism of the players that they decided to adopt a similar gesture. Since then, it has become a tradition for Australian rules football teams to wear black armbands during matches in memory of a deceased player or fan.
Until 1999, all Melbourne clubs wore black armbands during home games in remembrance of John McDonald, who had died the previous year. From then on, the Black Armband became associated only with deaths, and most clubs stopped wearing them at home.
McDonald was one of several people who were killed by Thomas Mitchell, an ex-player who suffered from mental illness. Mitchell shot himself after killing his wife and daughter. Before he did so, he wrote a letter saying that he was sorry and that he had murdered them because he thought they were demons sent by God to punish him for gambling. This incident caused Melbourne's premier club, Collingwood, to stop wearing armbands altogether due to security concerns. They also refused to play any other club during McDonald's memorial match until the matter was resolved.
Copyright © 2020 - 2023 Sportsmanist Inc.
