2300 Thoughts

Charlie Davies

Tuesday October 13, 2009 at 3:15 a.m. United States Men’s National Team starting forward Charlie Davies was in a fatal car accident. Three people were in the single car accident; Davies, an unidentified driver, and a young female that passed away during the early morning accident. Davies was wearing his seatbelt in the passenger seat and sustained major injuries. Davies, 23, is facing an arduous six- to 12-month recovery and extensive rehabilitation after undergoing surgery for a broken right femur and tibia, a broken left elbow, facial fractures and a lacerated bladder. Davies was taken out of critical condition on October 19.

The opening paragraph is only background information since I am pretty sure no one except for huge soccer supporters know the details about this situation, or even that it happened. The public relations surrounding this situation have been really remarkable I think. Davies’s team mates and fans have initiated huge amounts of publicity support for Davies.

The United States Men’s National Team played at RFK Stadium on October 14, in a World Cup Qualification match against Costa Rica, a game Davies would have started. During the ninth minute the entire crowd stood and held up sheets of paper with “9” on them, to show support and well wishes for Davies. Nine being the number Davies wears on his jersey for the United States National Team. The same thing happened at Rio Tinto Stadium in Salt Lake City during the ninth minute of the Major League Soccer game between ReAL Salt Lake and the New York Red Bulls.

At the ReAL Red Bull game both teams and the referees all wore “Davies 9” shirts during the National Anthem and team introductions to show their individual support for Davies and his family during this hard time for them.

I think the support during these two games is really remarkable and interesting because supporters groups created the signs, provided printed copies of the signs and encouraged wide participation of other fans. I think this is unique because these fans have reached the point of taking action and even recommending the product that is I guess Charlie Davies. I think the free public relations the Davies brand is receiving is really amazing and just goes to prove that if you are good at what you do people will notice and support.