While the majority of talk about Soccer Saturday over the last few weeks has been surrounding the changes to its panel, Jeff Stelling used today's show to remind viewers about the dangers of prostate cancer and in doing so, he reminded us all what an extraordinary broadcaster he is.
In terms of context, in 2016, Stelling took part in March to The Arch to raise awareness for prostate cancer.
The broadcaster even documented the proceedings, as he was a key advocate and campaigner in the Men United March which saw him walking 262 miles in 10 days to raise money for prostate cancer research.
At the time, the long-standing Soccer Saturday helped to raise more than £365,000.
The money helped fund vital research projects such as Professor Johann De Bono's at The Institute of Cancer Research, London, and The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, whose teams have been developing a genetic test for aggressive prostate cancer to help assess which men will respond best to a certain treatment.
A year later, Stelling walked 15 marathons in 15 days as part of Prostate Cancer UK’s March For Men, alongside sportspeople, celebrities and people diagnosed with prostate cancer, one of these people was his friend, Lloyd Pinder.
Speaking on today's show, Stelling paid tribute Mr Pinder who sadly passed away last night at the age of 48.
Speaking about their history together, an emotional Stelling said:
"He didn't mention that he had prostate cancer during that first hour, it wasn't until later that I went back and talked to him again that he told me he was struggling with prostate cancer. He was determined that he wouldn't be beaten by it, he was determined that he would do everything to beat it, and also to raise awareness of prostate cancer.
"He walked with me for a couple of legs for that marathon and he walked - I think - three legs in the 15 marathons in 15 days, finishing up in Newcastle. On the last walk, he was too ill and couldn't take part but unbeknown to me, he turned up on the finishing line at Tottenham's new stadium, illness or not. He was not going to be stopped.
We had a fantastic night with him and his mates at his local football club in Yorkshire, and I was very proud to be his friend. Lloyd died last night, aged 48. We send our condolences and love to his wife, Tina, and his lovely girls. get yourself checked, please."
Take a look at Stelling's beautiful tribute below and given the importance of that final sentence, further information about diagnosing prostate cancer can be found here.
Lovely message from @JeffStelling, commemorating his friend Lloyd Pinder who sadly lost his battle with #ProstateCancer yesterday.
Get yourself checked fellas 🙏🏻❤️@ProstateUK pic.twitter.com/6hCJ8XnBmk— MasterTeam Fantasy Football (@MasterTeamFF) September 19, 2020
