And This Year's Ned Award Goes To ...

Is Ian Williams the anti-Beckham? Williams, a 29-year-old soccer player from Wales, threw down his crutches and took off his cast in order to kick the winning goal in a professional soccer game recently. That's kind of hardcore, I must say. Williams had only been on the bench to give his team the minimum number of uniformed players in the match between Pontlliw FC in their local derby with Pontarddulais Town.

With the scores locked at 1-1 in the 85th minute Williams begged to be sent in and moments later blasted a shot into the top corner of the net with his injured foot. He threw up and was taken off in agony moments later. "When we were still drawing 1-1 with five minutes left to go, I was dying to get on. I asked the boss to let put me on, and he said 'if you think you're up to it, then go-ahead.' When the ball hit the back of the net I couldn't believe it."

I can think of any number of athletes who would rip off a cast in the heat of a close game. But it takes a very special coach to look at a player on crutches and wearing a cast, and say "Ah what the hell, get in there." Remind me never to go to a Welsh doctor. Striker Nets Winner With Broken Foot [Swansea.co.uk]