His friendship with Bradley Lowery has touched everyone.
In a strictly sporting sense, Jermain Defoe's personal achievements at Sunderland this year can't be faulted.
Granted, that might appear to be a strange comment to make about a striker that has just left a relegated team, but as every football fan will know, Defoe's goalscoring form has been one of the very few positives from a dreadful season at the Stadium of Light.
Despite Sunderland's relegation to the Championship, Defoe still managed to score 15 league goals over the course of the season, a tally that helped him deservedly secure an England recall in the spring.
As good as Defoe's performances have been on the pitch, they pale in comparison to the joy and happiness that he gave to Bradley Lowery as the boyhood Sunderland fan bravely battled against neuroblastoma.
Being an avid football fan, Bradley was frequently a mascot for his beloved Sunderland and his friendship with Defoe has resonated with every single person that found themselves in awe of Bradley's bravery, strength and smile.
As we know, the England striker frequently spent time with Bradley at the
hospital, the Stadium of Light and
Wembley. It's clear that this friendship
meant a great deal to both.
Since the terribly sad news that Bradley has passed away, Defoe paid his own heartbreaking and beautiful tribute to his close friend.
"Goodbye my friend, gonna miss you lots. I feel so blessed God brought you into my life and had some amazing moments with you and for that I'm so grateful. I'll never forget the way you looked at me and when I met you for the first time, the genuine love in those cute eyes. Really finding it hard to find the words to express what you mean to me. The way you say your name, your little smiles when the camera comes out like a little superstar and the love I felt when I was with you. Your courage and bravery will continue to inspire me for the rest of my life. You will never know what a difference you made to me as a person. God has you in his arms and I'll always carry you in my heart. Sleep tight little one. My best friend," he said.
Given the fact that Defoe's friendship was a source of strength and pure happiness for this young boy, the British public are calling on the Bournemouth striker to receive the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Award.
If this happened, we would be fully supportive.
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