Beckham On Life After Football

Summary

Two months after retiring from football, David Beckham continues to be deeply involved in sports. Visiting a school in Bedford, Beckham, as a Sky Sports ambassador, inspires children by sharing his journey and the importance of sports and mentorship. He emphasizes the value of competitiveness and staying active, not just for aspiring athletes but for all children. Beckham also discusses his family's active lifestyle and his future plans, including potential ownership of a Major League Soccer club, while maintaining strong ties to both London and Los Angeles.

Takeaways

• 😀 David Beckham remains an active figure in sports even after retiring, embodying the spirit of continuous involvement in physical activities.
• 🏆 Beckham's visit to a school in Bedford highlights the transformative power of sports in children's lives and his commitment to inspiring the next generation.
• 🤝 He is involved with Sky Sports' 'Living for Sports' program, aiming to provide mentorship to young athletes and contribute to their development.
• 👦 Beckham emphasizes the importance of having role models and mentors in sports, drawing from his own experience looking up to figures like Brian Robson.
• 🏅 He sees the value in competitive sports for children, not just for the sake of winning but to instill a sense of resilience and determination.
• 👨‍👧‍👦 As a father, Beckham encourages his children to be active and pursue sports, valuing health and fitness over specific athletic achievements.
• 🏠 He envisions a balanced life for his children, where they can enjoy sports without the pressure of following in his footsteps as a footballer.
• 💪 Beckham acknowledges the need for rest and a change in exercise routine post-retirement, while still advocating for the importance of staying fit.
• 🌟 He reflects on the positive impact of the Olympics and the legacy it has left, showing pride in the UK's ability to carry forward the spirit of such events.
• 🏆 There are rumors about Beckham potentially owning a Major League Soccer club, which he expresses interest in as a way to give back to the sport and community.
• 🎬 Beckham dismisses rumors of acting in a Bond film, stating he is better suited to stick to sports and coaching, rather than pursuing a career in punditry or acting.

Q & A

What is David Beckham's current involvement with sports after retiring from football?

David Beckham remains one of the most recognizable sportsmen in the world and is involved with Sky Sports' 'Living for Sports' program, acting as a mentor and role model for young children.

Why did David Beckham want to participate in the 'Living for Sports' program?

He wanted to give back to the community and help young people by being a mentor, as he had looked up to figures like Brian Robson during his childhood.

How does David Beckham feel about the impact of sports on young people's lives?

He believes that sports can transform lives and is proud to contribute to the future of the country by helping to shape future sporting heroes.

What does David Beckham think about the importance of competitiveness in children's lives?

He thinks competitiveness is important but also emphasizes the importance of having a heart and supporting children even if they are not the best in sports.

How has David Beckham's exercise routine changed since his retirement?

After retiring, he needed time to let his body rest from the injuries he sustained during his professional football career. He gradually got back into working out and stays active with his four children.

What is David Beckham's approach to encouraging his children to be active?

He has instilled the importance of staying fit and healthy into his children, encouraging them to play outside and participate in various sports.

What does David Beckham think about the potential for his children to follow in his footsteps as a football player?

He would love for one of his children to become a football player, but his primary wish is for them to be happy, healthy, and fit.

What advice does David Beckham have for new parents William and Kate regarding their upcoming royal birth?

He believes they have many mentors and parents around them and will be amazing parents due to their love for children.

How does David Beckham view the legacy of the London Olympics, and what is his role in it?

He sees the legacy of the Olympics as enduring and believes that the UK is known for continuing the legacy of major sports events, with him being a part of it as an ambassador.

What are David Beckham's future plans, particularly regarding the rumors about him owning a Major League Soccer Club or becoming an actor?

He is genuinely interested in potentially owning a football club in America as it aligns with his commitment to the sport there. The rumors about him becoming an actor, particularly as the next Bond, are not true.

Where does David Beckham consider home, and how does he divide his time between different locations?

London will always be his home, but he also spends time in America and LA, as they have homes in both places and have had positive experiences living there.

Outlines

00:00

🏆 David Beckham's Continued Sports Involvement

In this paragraph, retired footballer David Beckham discusses his ongoing connection with sports and his role as an ambassador for Sky Sports' 'Living for Sports' program. He shares his motivation for participating, highlighting the importance of mentorship in his own life and the desire to provide the same opportunity for young athletes. Beckham emphasizes the impact of sports on young lives and the value of making sacrifices for success, advocating for the reintroduction of competitive sports in schools to foster future athletes.

05:01

👨‍👧‍👦 Beckham's Family Life and Views on Sportsmanship

This paragraph delves into David Beckham's personal life, focusing on his family's active lifestyle and his approach to encouraging his children to engage in sports and maintain a healthy lifestyle. He talks about the importance of enjoying sports regardless of one's skill level and the value of self-belief. Beckham also shares anecdotes from his own experience as a professional athlete, including adjusting his exercise routine post-retirement and the influence of his wife Victoria's fitness routine on his family.

10:02

🎖 Reflections on British Sports Success and Future Endeavors

In the final paragraph, Beckham reflects on recent British sports achievements, such as the Lions' victory and Andy Murray's Wimbledon win, expressing optimism for a successful British sporting summer. He discusses the legacy of the Olympics and his role as an ambassador, expressing confidence in the lasting impact of the event. Beckham also addresses rumors about his future, including potential ownership of a Major League Soccer Club and dismisses speculations about a career in punditry or acting, emphasizing his commitment to sports and coaching.

Keywords

💡Retirement

Retirement refers to the act of stepping down from one's occupation or career, often due to age or personal reasons. In the context of the video, David Beckham's retirement from football is a significant turning point in his life, allowing him to engage in different activities such as being an ambassador for Sky Sports and visiting schools to promote sports.

💡Sports Ambassador

A sports ambassador is a person who represents a sports organization or initiative, often due to their fame or expertise in the field. David Beckham, being a recognizable sports figure, serves as a Sky ambassador, using his influence to inspire and support sports programs and young athletes.

💡Mentor

A mentor is someone who provides guidance and support to help others grow in their personal or professional lives. Beckham mentions the importance of having a mentor in sports and life, drawing from his own experience of looking up to Brian Robson and wanting to provide the same for young children through the Sky Sports program.

💡Legacy

Legacy refers to something that is handed down or received from one's predecessors. In the script, Beckham discusses the legacy of the Olympics, emphasizing the lasting impact and inspiration it provides for future generations, including the promotion of sports and healthy competition.

💡Competitiveness

Competitiveness is the desire to perform better than others in a particular activity. Beckham talks about the importance of fostering competitiveness in children, as it can drive them to excel and learn valuable lessons about winning and losing.

💡Sacrifice

Sacrifice involves giving up something of value for the sake of something else. In the video, Beckham shares his perspective on making sacrifices in order to achieve success, such as choosing to train instead of hanging out with friends.

💡Role Model

A role model is a person who serves as an example for others to follow. Beckham, as a former professional footballer and current sports ambassador, is seen as a role model for young athletes, embodying the values of hard work, dedication, and sportsmanship.

💡Physical Fitness

Physical fitness refers to the ability of the body to perform physical activities and maintain good health. Beckham emphasizes the importance of staying fit and healthy, not just for athletes but for everyone, as part of a healthy lifestyle.

💡Parenting

Parenting is the process of raising and guiding children. The script mentions Beckham's views on encouraging his children to be active and make healthy choices, reflecting his role as a parent who values sports and fitness.

💡Success

Success is the accomplishment of an aim or purpose. Beckham discusses the various forms of success, not limited to being the best in sports but also including personal fulfillment, enjoyment, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

💡Diversity in Sports

Diversity in sports refers to the inclusion and participation of individuals with different skills, interests, and backgrounds. Beckham highlights the importance of not limiting children to one sport and encourages them to explore various activities to find what they enjoy.

Highlights

David Beckham remains an influential figure in sports even after retiring from football.

Beckham visits a school in Bedford to promote the Sky Sports 'Living for Sports' program.

He discusses the importance of having a mentor in sports and life, citing his admiration for Brian Robson.

Beckham emphasizes the value of sports in transforming lives and the role of mentors like Sir Chris Hoy and Jess Ennis.

He shares his pride in his career and his desire to give back, particularly to future sporting heroes.

Beckham talks about the importance of making sacrifices for success and the role of competitiveness in children's lives.

He believes that competitive sports are crucial for developing future elite athletes.

Beckham stresses the significance of maintaining a balance between competitiveness and empathy in sports.

He reflects on his own exercise routine post-retirement and the importance of staying fit and healthy.

Beckham discusses encouraging his children to be active and the importance of a healthy lifestyle.

He expresses his hopes for his children to be happy, healthy, and fit, regardless of their career paths.

Beckham shares his thoughts on the Royal birth and his advice for new parents William and Kate.

He comments on the success of British sports, including the Lions' victory and Andy Murray's Wimbledon win.

Beckham discusses the legacy of the Olympics and his role as an ambassador for its continuation.

He addresses rumors about his future, including owning an MLS club and his interest in coaching over punditry.

Beckham confirms that London will always be home, but he also values the time spent in LA and America.

Transcripts

two months after retiring from football

sports is still a big part of David

Beckham's life he remains one of the

most recognizable Sportsmen in the world

and one group of school children are

about to get a big surprise we have an

extra special guest coming to join us

for our session I'd like to welcome Sky

ambasador David Beckham David

Beckham

David was visiting a school in Bedford

where sport has transformed

lives after proving he's still as active

as ever we spoke about his latest

Mission first of all how do we introduce

you is it former footballer Ambassador

model father Mr Posh Spice what do you

prefer um David's good pretty good I've

had the retired football quite a few

times in the last few weeks so uh D just

David's good just done with that one now

you're here today as part of Sky Sports

living for sports program tell us about

that and why you wanted to get involved

I wanted to get involved because

obviously I've um gained so much from

being in a sport from being in football

um and when I was 8 n years old you know

I was always looking for a mentor you

know a mentor in kind of in sport in

life you know I had my parents but you

know I wanted someone else to look up to

and obviously myself being a Manchester

United fan you know Brian Robson for me

was someone that I looked up to someone

that achieved uh so much in in you know

his sport I wanted to achieve the same

thing you know I wanted to wear the same

jerseys as him I wanted to Captain

England I wanted to represent England um

and I think what sky have created here

is something where you know young kids

are able to look up to you know athletes

like sir Chris Hoy like Jess Andis you

know like other athletes that are

involved in this initiative um and they

can be their mentors and that's the

special thing and that's why I you know

personally wanted to be involved and how

much of a difference can it make to

Young people's lives getting involved

with sports you know it's something that

I'm very proud of what I've done in my

career and obviously to now go on to

something like this where I'm kind of

giving back in a way that is helping the

future of you know future of our country

or future you know sporting Heroes

that's it's something special for me

it's all right to be different you know

it's all right to make sacrifices like I

said before I made I made sacrifices

when I was your age and some of my

friends wanted to go and hang out down

the street on the shop corner you know

uh skateboard parks you know and there's

nothing wrong with going to skateboard

park but if you want to want to be

successful and if you want to do certain

things and want to be c a certain person

then there are sacrifices that you make

and do you think enough is being done at

Schools they're talking now about

bringing back competitive sport how

important do you think that would be to

encourage the elite Sports men and women

of the

future for me personally I think you

know uh competitiveness is really

important in in children's lives um in

in many ways um I think it has to be

fair of course you know because uh you

know a couple of my sons go to a school

that is very competitive but in a way

that um also helps the children that are

not winning the races are not winning

the football you know they're helping

them in many other ways so I think you

know what what children are doing

nowadays you know things have to be

competitive you know it's important for

the future of you know the sport going

forward I think you know because when

you get to a certain point in your life

as a child you know 16 17 it really

becomes competitive and if you haven't

learned that from a young age um I I

think that you know that could affect

the way children are you know when they

go into different sports but like I said

it's also important that if they're not

the best football players if they're not

the best tennis players that doesn't

mean to say they're not going to have a

future in that game you know they might

go on to be a coach you know some of the

best footballing managers in the world

are you know not ex footballers you know

and they've not kicked the ball before

in in their life so you know that says a

lot I think that's what's important to

to have that competitiveness but also

have a heart you know that actually puts

their arm around a kid and says just

because you've not won a race it doesn't

mean that you're not good at that Sport

and it doesn't mean that you can't enjoy

that sport if you enjoy it it doesn't

matter it doesn't matter if you're the

best at it that's not the most important

thing in the world you know if you enjoy

doing a sport you do it I was listening

to a conversation of a group of young

kids that were waiting to do their

events and I heard one of the boys turn

around and say I might go and do the

javelin and one of his friends turn

around to him and say why would you go

and do that that's

embarrassing and something like that I

actually turned around to the little boy

and said go and do the javelin if you

want to do the javelin it's not about

it's about having your own opinion it's

about believing in yourself and you know

that's part of being successful has your

exercise routine changed then since you

retired you know how have things like

that changed well I think obviously I've

had 22 years in professional football so

I needed time to kind of uh let my body

rest because I've had a couple of bad

injuries over the last three or four

years and um you know I I kind of left

working out alone for a few weeks and

then I kind of slowly got back into it

but obviously having four children

you're constantly running around and

doing stuff anyway and I've been busy

with other stuff but I think it's so

important for any person to stay fit and

healthy just for health reasons more

than anything and how active are your

children then how do you encourage them

to you know get do more activities well

as a parent I've always been obviously a

sportsman kind of that has always been

outside keeping active keeping fit and

I've kind of embeded that into my

children uh I think it's so important

that parents do that because I think

it's so important in not just to be a

sportsman sportswoman I think it's

important in life you know for for kids

to stay healthy for kids to stay fit to

eat the right things to drink the right

things and I think that's what's so

important it's not just about about you

know becoming a great Sportsman it's

about you know staying healthy in life

and I have this image of you all kind of

in the back Garden having a kick around

with Victoria there as well is that what

happens she's up at 6:30 every morning

running is she yeah so she's very fit

start and Harper sits there and watches

her so she's learning but um no the boys

are always out they're always doing some

kind of sport and it's not you know it

doesn't have to be football just because

dad's a football player or a retired

football player um doesn't mean that

they'll naturally go into that game you

know maybe they will if they do then

great but you know I just want them to

be outside I want them to be outside

playing instead of sitting and watching

TV and you know and and doing all that

kind of stuff because there are you know

we spoke about it with the kids there's

so many distractions out there and it's

about you know that focus and when

children have had focus and got that

Focus you know there's they they become

so determined do you secretly hope

though that one of them will follow in

your footsteps of course of course I do

you know i' I'd love one of them to be a

football player it might end up being

Harper she might go into it I mean we

shouldn't show Victoria this but um I

think you know if one of the boys go on

to to play football then then great but

um I I I just want them to be happy I

want them to be healthy and I want them

to be fit and simple as that and talking

about children I have to ask you we have

the Royal birth coming up very

shortly uh what advice would you give to

William and Kate I know your friends

what advice would you give them because

you're a bit of an expert now they're

going to be firsttime parents uh I don't

think they need my my advice I think

they've got so many

amazing uh mentors and you know parents

around them you know I think that's and

grandparents you know I think they'll

learn from them and um I think William

and I think Kate's going to be they're

going to be amazing parents because

they're so loving towards children you

see the way they are and you know

obviously I've I've seen more of William

than I have of Kate but I think you know

William has been in all of our lives for

for so many years and we've seen him

grow from that from that young boy into

an unbelievable gentleman and I think

that's that's an amazing quality that he

shows and I think you know that as a

father is is so important and any advice

on baby names for them in that case cuz

I know you know you went for different

things well they yeah that's a good bad

you think they should go for David I

think they should go for David if a boy

now we've just had the Lions win we've

had Andy Murray winning Wimbledon we've

got the ashes on as well are you hoping

it's going to be another Great British

sporting summer um already has been um

you know I think that uh you know in the

last week as has been incredible I was

in Singapore and I was lucky enough to

be sat next to an Australian guy that uh

wasn't very happy at the meal I must

admit he was uh very down about the uh

about the Lions but um you know I packed

him on the back a few times and just

mentioned uh the result but it's so

amazing for us to have you know so much

success I think obviously with the Lions

it's it's incredible to for for children

to watch the the success that we've had

um and then obviously with

you know after after the Olympics last

year and after obviously what happened

at wimon last year you know I

think everyone really was so behind him

this time um obviously they was behind

him last time but I think what he went

through and his speech that I was in the

crowd after that and it was kind of you

know it was heart really got to everyone

I think to perform like he did in that

heat with that pressure you know playing

playing at home I know what it's like as

an England player to play in front of

our own fans it's it's one of the best

feelings but it's also there's a certain

amount of pressure I think you know Andy

showed so many times throughout the

whole competition you know how tough he

is mentally and and physically of course

and it's a proud moment for everyone and

can you believe it is nearly a year now

since you markk the start of the

Olympics that speedboat moment down the

T but is there a worry that the Legacy

hasn't lived up to expectation you're an

ambassador for it you're a really big

part in all of it how do you feel about

that I think the legacy of the Olympics

will always be there I don't think that

anyone can question that because I think

that our country do things in a way

where we're very famous for how we bring

Sportsmen through and how we continue

the Legacy uh of a big competition and I

think the way we ran that Olympics the

way we was kind of involved in for me

one of the most successful Olympics uh

that there has been uh you know I

obviously haven't been to all of them

but um I've seen many of them and and to

be part of this one in in our own

country in part of London where I grew

up you know that was very special um and

like I said we will keep that Legacy

going because you know it's what we do

challenges are good uh challenges always

bring the best out in people it shows

aside of you that um sometimes you've

not seen before or other people have not

seen before so challenges for me uh are

really important in life and finally

what is next for you now there's talk

about you maybe owning a Major League

Soccer Club there's talk about you you

know being a pundit or you going to

continue the modeling or even these

acting rumors that we might see you in

bond what apparently so no that was just

another one of these Golden Balls moment

that Victoria kind of threw out there

and it kind of stuck so apparently I'm

uh going to be the next Bond cing to my

wife but uh no that's not true um I've

obviously had a few offers from

different people regarding um movies

over the years and you know I think I'm

better sticking to the sport that I

actually know punditry I think I'm going

to leave that to Gary you know I'm not

going to get involved in that because

he's so good at it and he's always been

great at talking so I think think I'll

leave that to him um but the MLS uh

football club is something that I'm

obviously very involved in because I

have the option to to own a club in uh

in America and when I moved there I I

committed to the league and I committed

to the sport in that country and making

it bigger um and if is if this is the

way that I can give back in that sense

then uh to own a franchise to own a team

would be very special and and something

that you know I'm really interested in

I'm not interested in being a manager I

love coaching kids I love being involved

in days like today with the kids but um

being an owner is something that I'm a

lot more interested in than anything

else and are you back here in England so

is this where you're planning to call

home from now on um London will always

be our home you know that's uh never

going to change but you know we've uh

we've got a home in La still um we

regard that as as a place where we had

such an amazing time living there and

the American people kind of welcomed

them welcomed us like one of their own

and that was that was very special so

we're spending a bit of time in London

we're also spending a bit of time in in

America so um we're kind of jumping from

place to place okay well David Beckham

thank you very much for talking to us

here on Sky News thank you