In conversation with?Robbie Fowler, who talks about his love for sport, the importance of practice and to never lose touch with the game one loves.How has sport shaped your life? Ive played football for as long as I can remember. It has probably made me the person I am. I never had the intention of doing anything other than sports, so I practiced and practiced hard.When you set your mind to do something, I think it makes you a more spirited person. If youve got ambitions and you go for it; I think thats all Ive done. Ive sorely wanted to play football, and Ive tried everything I could to get where I was. It obviously took a long time; it didnt happen overnight. But everything Ive done was down to football.Ive travelled the world, and Ive seen just about everything. Its all through football...some wonderful places of the world that I have visited, and its all from working hard as a kid, to get to where I wanted to be.Do you think sometimes people underestimate the value of sport in a persons life?I think it depends on where you are, in what country. Certain countries value their education more; I feel that I have had a wonderful education out of football. Ive seen certain things that I thought I would never see, and through football. You cant obviously do without an education also, but its not about the job aspect alone. Any involvement in any sport is also healthy. It keeps you fresh, and your mind and body active.Look, not everybody is fortunate enough to go and do it professionally. But I have no doubt in my mind that if I werent playing football, I would have been in some other sport. I always wanted to stay in shape - through sport, any kind of sport. Whether youre walking, running or jogging, I think its final.As you started off playing football, who were your biggest influences?My parents played a huge role in helping me at the start. Coming to Liverpool, we had a coach called Steve Ayre, who was a massive player there. He has achieved everything, and was my first coach. He helped me get through the teams. He was tough, but fair. He was fantastic.When youve got parents driving you on, and when you have coaches like Steve Ayre, theyre always striving for you to be the very best you can. With their help and with my own ambition and desire to do well, I became the player that I wanted to be.How important is team spirit in a sport like football?It is important without a shadow of doubt... in football, and in team games. Individual sports are different because you are on your own, but in a team game, it is massively vital. You need your five or seven or 11 players with you. Were all fighting for the same outcome, and with that team spirit and togetherness that you have to have. We see it all the time with kids, and even with players. Even at these European Championships, youve got all the best players - dont get me wrong; theyre all excellent players - but you still need a team around you, and its massively important.What are the two best memories of your playing career?I think the first one would be making my debut. That took years and years of hard work...years of practice to get where I wanted to be. It is never easy being a professional sportsman - whether in cricket, golf or football. There are many hours of practice that have gone in before that. So before anything, making your debut is certainly one, and obviously having made your debut, you want to be successful. You want to win things.I think winning my first trophy as a professional footballer was special. To make your debut is brilliant, but to actually win your first trophy, when there are thousands of people who have tried before but havent really done it, that gives you so much satisfaction.One moment that stands out from your career is when you tried to convince the referee in an Arsenal-Liverpool game that David Seaman hadnt fouled you when you got a penalty? Did you dive?Did I dive? No (laughs). It was one of those moments where you run for the ball and lose your footing. It certainly wasnt a dive, and I didnt think it was a penalty at the time. The more I think about it, the more I feel it probably was a penalty, because I ran into him. I could have got injured really badly.So my jumping over, losing balance and falling over was probably a good thing, because I could have hurt myself, or I could have hurt the goalkeeper. It certainly wasnt a dive, but...(smiles) youre the first person to have said that! Ive been called many things, but Ive never been called a diver. So I dont really like that (smiles).How was it being a part of the European Championships when they were played at home in 1996?It was brilliant. What was special about it was that it was at home; we played all our games at Wembley. No matter where we were - in the hotel, on the way to London, the support that we got with people coming out of their houses... it lifts you as a player. It makes you want to do that little bit more. It reminds you that its not about you or your team, its about the country.We as players stuck together, and the country got behind us. Its probably the best tournament that England have had since they won the World Cup in 1966. The team spirit was then absolutely fantastic, as was the atmosphere from everyone within the country.You have now seen football from a different perspective??How do you think the game has evolved since your playing days?It is very difficult when you retire - dont let anyone tell you (anything) different. Youve suddenly gone from being a top-class player in a top-class team to doing nothing, and thats difficult. It really is. This is why I like doing what I do now. I work for Liverpool football club, doing television shows. It keeps me involved in football.So, even when I am not playing anymore, I still like to keep myself involved in the game. I think its massively important. Maybe your advice to the youngsters will help them become the future Robbie Fowlers and the future Decos. Thats what we really want - we cant play anymore. But we can still help the next generation.What would your advice be to youngsters in India who might be picking up the sport? Whether you are playing football, cricket or golf, or anything, the first thing is to try. Whatever it is that you feel comfortable in, just give it everything. Practice is massive...I cant really stress on how important that is. Listen to your parents and your coaches. Listen to people who have may have been in that position. Understand where you could go right and identify the wrongs. Try and improve that.?You think of all the Messis and Ronaldos - these type of players - they have forever practiced. They dont wake up and suddenly become a great player. They have practiced everyday - from the time they were children till today.Brayden Point Lightning Jersey .1 million pounds ($61.2 million) on Saturday, giving the beleaguered English Premier League champions a major lift. Louis Domingue Lightning Jersey . William Carrier opened the scoring for Cape Breton (6-4-2), but Andrew Ryan tied the game and Brent Andrews put the Mooseheads (8-6-0) in front for good with a short-handed goal at 13:49 of the second period. http://www.lightninghockeystore.us/Mikhail-Sergachev-Jersey/ . It was just business as usual for the Thunder at home. Durant scored 32 points and the Thunder beat the Bulls 107-95 on Thursday night for their eighth straight win. Vincent Lecavalier Jersey .Y. - Nelson Mandela will be honoured by the New York Yankees with a plaque in Monument Park. Cedric Paquette Lightning Jersey . By having more great seasons. Manning was the only unanimous choice for the 2013 Associated Press NFL All-Pro team Friday.ORLANDO, Fla. -- John Daly is teaming with his 13-year-old son, John Daly Jr., in the PNC Father/Son Challenge.I think its going to be great. Weve been looking forward to it for a while, said John Daly, set to open the 20-team scramble event Saturday at Ritz-Carlton Golf Clubs Grande Lakes.Little John goes to Gary Gilchrists golf school.I dont get to see him as much as Id like. Its a golf academy, Daly said. When we have a break or holidays or whatever and hes not in school, were always playing.Daly said his son is a 5-handicap golfer.The amazing thing is when he was born, he started playing at 2, and I always was chipping and putting -- thats all I would practice most of the time, Daly said. I wasnt a range (guy). He just loves to cchip and putt.dddddddddddd He hits it about 240, 250 (feet) off the tee. Seven-iron about 140?No.One-fifty, his son corrected.And the younger Daly is comfortable in front of crowds.He dont get nervous, John Daly said.Lanny Wadkins?and son Tucker are back after winning last year, Jack Nicklaus is playing with his oldest son, 55-year-old Jackie, and Bernhard Langer is teaming with daughter Christina. The fathers earned spots in the field by winning major championships.Well have a good time, Jack Nicklaus said. As long as he plays well, well do well because I cant play well. Im terrible, but thats all right. ' ' '