Micah Richards learns of dads death before going on | UK News

Micah Richards found that his father, Lincoln, had died ‘not long’ before being half of the BBC’s coverage of England vs Argentina. The larger-than-life pundit determined to continue with the show in tribute to his late dad.

Sharing a heartfelt assertion on Instagram, Richards said: “Not long before going on air today, I received the awful news that my father Lincoln had passed away. His death was unexpected, and he has left us all too soon.

“He was my best fan. He barely missed a recreation my complete life. He would take me wherever I needed to go when I used to be a child and he was the proudest father or mother attainable during my skilled profession. It was so uncommon for him to not be by my aspect.

“I know how much watching England World Cup games means to everyone at home, and how the experience bonds families together across the generations, like nothing else. I know, particularly as a proud old-school Yorkshireman, dad would’ve wanted the show to go on this evening. And so it did.

“Thinking of my siblings and all my wider household today as we keep in mind my father Lincoln, my hero and inspiration.”

Tributes from throughout the sporting community have poured in for Richards. Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher, who works alongside Richards on CBS, was amongst the first to respond.

“Sending love to you and all the household,” he said.

Joe Hart, who was working with Richards on Wednesday evening, said: “Sending love Meeks … right here for you all . RIP Lincoln”.

“Sorry for your loss Micah,” commented Juan Mata. Ex-England international Jill Scott added: “Thinking of you and your loved ones Micah.”

Former Formula 1 champion Jenson Button said: “Praying for you brother, Sorry for your loss.”

Richards has previously discussed the profound influence his father had on his career path and credits him with keeping him level-headed. “‘I grew up in Chapeltown, a tough space of Leeds,” Richards said in 2007.

“There was all kinds of stuff – medication and preventing. There is a level when you’re 15 or 16 when you may want to get entangled in it. There was positively a temptation but I stayed grounded.

“I have been able to deal with all the stuff that has come my way. That’s down to Dad. He’s brought me up well. My Dad is a strong character. He is very principled. He’s a Rastafarian. He has set standards for me.

“It’s been great to have that type of particular person behind me but at the same time I realized how to be my own man. Dad’s always been right here for me. He has missed only one recreation I’ve ever performed in and that was my debut at Arsenal when I wasn’t even been supposed to be in the squad.”