Billy Sharp Goal: Doncaster Striker Scores To Honor Death Of 2-Day Old Son (VIDEO)

During times of personal hardship, professional athletes often seek temporary refuge on the playing field. Some pains, though, are too sharp to be dulled by the exertion and immediacy of competition. On Tuesday, Billy Sharp took the field for the Doncaster Rovers with no intention of distracting himself from the tragic death of his two-day-old son. On the contrary, Sharp wanted to use the match as a stage to honor his son's memory.

Sharp was not expected to play following the death of his son, Luey Jacob Sharp, but the striker caught Doncaster manager Dean Saunders by surprise when he called asking if he could suit up for the squad's Football League Championship match against Middlesborough.

"He rung me and asked if he could play -- he wanted to play," Saunders told The BBC. "He wanted to score a goal for his son and his family and he was ready to go. When he said that to me I couldn't really refuse."

Prior to the match, Sharp requested a message be read to supporters, which would be followed by a minute of applause. The message read: "This is a minute's applause to celebrate the short life of Billy and Jade's son Luey Jacob Sharp. Born 27th October, taken by the angels on the 29th. Sleep tight son."

While just playing in the match showed tremendous bravery on Sharp's part, 14 minutes in, he scored an emotional goal to put his side on top. In celebration, he lifted his jersey up to reveal a t-shirt emblazoned with the message,"That's for you son."

While revealing a message underneath one's jersey is considered a cautionable offense, referee Darren Deadman had to the good judgment to not give Sharp a citation in this instance.

Despite it counting against his side, Middlesborough manager Tony Mowbray was still very happy for Sharp.

"It's amazing to think for anyone who's had children the emotional drain that must have been with him -- I couldn't put it into words," expressed Mowbray. "For him to score a wonder-goal, your headlines should be there really -- a goal from heaven."

Following the match, Sharp posted several tweets about the goal:

@billysharp10
billy sharp

I am absolutely overwhelmed with the support from ppl allover the world has given to me tonite,I really can't thank u all enough.amazing

November 2, 2011 1:26 am via Twitter for BlackBerry® Reply Retweet Favorite

@billysharp10
billy sharp

My goal tonight was the most important goal of my career dedicated to my brave boy luey jacob sharp I love u son sleep tight.thatsforyouson

November 2, 2011 1:27 am via Twitter for BlackBerry® Reply Retweet Favorite

@billysharp10
billy sharp

To captain the side tonite was an honour and a pleasure,the minute applause I was crying meant so much to me thanks to both sets of fans

November 2, 2011 1:29 am via Twitter for BlackBerry® Reply Retweet Favorite

Middlesborough ultimately came from behind to defeat Sharp's Doncaster side 3-1 but in the scheme of things, the final score of the match seems to be the least significant aspect of the evening.

Comments

[chellebain]

09:47 AM on 11/04/2011

Wow. What a strong man! My prayers are with your family and friends.

[Rockrims]

06:43 PM on 11/03/2011

What bravery in the midst of tragedy. I have been saddened by the recent break up with my lover. This however, puts things in perspective. No family should ever have to endure such a loss in their family. My heart and thoughts and well wishes to the family, and that they will find the continued strength to deal with their loss.

[2010WSCHAMPS]

04:20 AM on 11/03/2011

As a father of two, my heart goes out to the Sharp Family on a completely different level....I am truly and deeply sorry for your loss, and your goal/tribute to your son was sublime and divine all at once.....my prayers are with you.

[2010WSCHAMPS]

04:16 AM on 11/03/2011

My prayers are with the Sharp Family....I am so sorry, from the very bottom of my heart, that you lost your son just two days into his life. Your goal was amazing, inspirational and touching all at once, and there was absolutely nothing cheap about the extremely difficult goal you scored, or the message you sent via the t-shirt under your game jersey...I thought it was seamless and divine, and I was completely touched by the amazing tribute, period!!!! God rest your son's soul and I wish you and your family nothing but peace and happiness in the years to come....God bless.

[stripedbass7]

03:30 AM on 11/03/2011

BILLY SHARP 10 junior ****** R.i.p.

[pslcitizen]

02:42 AM on 11/03/2011

Sad to lose such a young child... Nice to honor his son.

[school first]

04:39 AM on 11/03/2011

To lose any child is disturbing, muchless, a little one! Know we are all praying for you Billy and your family.

Best regards,

[TheVivster]

01:45 AM on 11/03/2011

Dear Lord, my heart goes out to this man and his wife! As a mom, I know the joy of learning you're having a baby, the planning and preparation and dreaming of the future while waiting for the baby's arrival; the unbelievable surge of emotion at the baby's birth and when you hold your little one for the first time; the incredible joy that makes you want to shout it to the world. To go through all of that anticipated joy and then to lose your child after two days, the pain must be unbearable. And it's the most helpless feeling in the world. To watch this gentleman, his chest heaving with exertion, emotion, and probably tears as he proudly shows his shirt to the world....one can only try to imagine what this family is going through. May God bless and comfort him and his wife.

[eace356]

11:52 PM on 11/02/2011

GOD BLESS YOU ! AND MAY YOU MEET AGAIN .........

[erinbliss]

11:48 PM on 11/02/2011

How very very sad.

[smeeg]

11:41 PM on 11/02/2011

his son is now one of his guardian angels.......

[Mary Cavendish]

11:18 PM on 11/02/2011

It is disgusting how many people on here are dogging him for what he did. This poor man lost his child! Some people don't want to sit around and grieve, but do something to commemorate a life, no matter how short it may have been.

[travelingblogger]

09:49 PM on 11/02/2011

Many thanks to the ref for not citing Sharp. He was very much a class act.

And yeah, I cried reading the story and watching the video...

[jstevens10]

09:29 PM on 11/02/2011

Losing a child must be one of the most horrible moments life can offer. Billy Sharp's courage to go on to the pitch, 2 days after this life changing event, is tremendous. His desire to honour his son and the strength it took to accomplish that goal (no pun intended) is incredible. I hope he and his family can eventually come to grips with their loss, and honour his son even more by continuing on.

[oldgrendel]

09:08 PM on 11/02/2011

This guy is class, his goal was class, his celebration was class, and the ref was class for not carding him for taking off his shirt.

[travelingblogger]

09:50 PM on 11/02/2011

May you never know the heartache of losing a child. You'd beat yourself with that violin for the rest of your miserable life.

[dethburger]

11:28 PM on 11/02/2011

Here's me flagging you.