Oguchi Onyewu: Setting the bar for class acts everywhere

By Eric Beard, writing from the United States

After rupturing his patellar tendon in the United States’ final World Cup qualifier against Costa Rica last October, Oguchi Onyewu has done something unheard of in modern football. The 6 foot 4 inch defender has asked to extend his contract with AC Milan by a year. The thing is, he is willing to play for absolutely nothing. Nada. Niente.

Here’s the official statement from Onyewu’s AC Milan:

USA international Oguchi Onyewu, who is coming off a season of rehabilitation following a long injury which has forced him to stay off the pitch for the whole season, but is now ready to face the World Cup with his national team, made a very significant gesture from a human and professional point of view today. Assisted by his lawyer, Jean Louis Dupont, Onyewu asked for, and received, a one-year contract extension from Milan, from 30 June 2012 to 30 June 2013. During this extra year, Oguchi Onyewu, by his choice, much appreciated by the Rossoneri club, has asked not to receive any kind of salary. This is an exemplary gesture which deserves sincere congratulations.

AC Milan had previously asked US Soccer to compensate for Onyewu’s injury, which, for me, was a somewhat ridiculous gesture. But I have to say that Onyewu, who was still being paid his weekly wages while in rehab, has set the bar for footballers everywhere. The obvious complaint from players is, “What am I supposed to do if I am not getting paid for an entire year?” But the obvious response is, “You’re a professional footballer playing for one of the best clubs in the world. You have money.”

I was lucky enough to partake in an interview with “Gooch” last August when he was training with AC Milan in Boston, getting ready for a preseason “friendly” against their rivals Inter Milan. My brother and I talked after the interview about what a class act he is, even joking that he should become a politician once his days of playing top-class football are over. This time, however, Onyewu has outdone himself. Considering the fact that he’ll be playing alongside guys making tens of thousands of Euros weekly, such as Ronaldinho, Pato, Pirlo, and Gattuso, this man’s moral stature stands alone.

What do you think of Onyewu’s remarkable gesture?

(watch our interview with the “then-healthy” Onyewu below. I asked about the difference between Milan and [Standard] Liege, as well as what it is like to work with Leonardo)