Micah Richards, a prominent BBC pundit, has shared a heartfelt tribute to his father, Lincoln, who died unexpectedly shortly before Richards was due to go on air for England's World Cup semi-final match against Argentina. Richards, 38, learned of his father's death just before the broadcast of England's 2-1 loss to Argentina.
"Not long before going on air today, I received the awful news that my father Lincoln had passed away," Richards posted on Instagram. "His death was unexpected, and he has left us all too soon."
Richards, a former England right-back who earned 13 caps for his country and previously played for clubs including Manchester City and Aston Villa, described his father as "my greatest fan." He noted that his father "barely missed a game my entire life" and was instrumental in his early career, taking him to training and matches. "He was the proudest parent possible during my professional career," Richards added. "It was so rare for him to not be by my side."
He acknowledged the importance of the World Cup to families and how it unites generations, suggesting his father, whom he called a "proud old-school Yorkshireman," would have wanted the broadcast to proceed. "I know, particularly as a proud old-school Yorkshireman, dad would've wanted the show to go on this evening. And so it did," Richards stated.
The former defender concluded his tribute by thinking of his siblings and wider family as they remember his father. "Thinking of my siblings and all my wider family today as we remember my father Lincoln, my hero and inspiration," he wrote.