From the point of view of somebody who seldom follows sports news and only knows David Beckham as a great soccer (I'm an American) player and Posh Spice's better half, this is quite informative, shocking at times.
His rise to stardom is awe-inspiring and much more pleasant than the abusive treatment some famous talented children (think Mozart and Beethoven) have experienced from elders who try to force them to be the best they could be. His parents appear to be loving and nurturing. His self-control (no drinking), humility and diligence (even when benched) that are most probably the fruits of an exemplary upbringing, are truly admirable.
The bullying he got from Manchester United fans for that one mistake is shocking. From being treated like a legend, he was bashed like no other. It's a wonder he did not crumble. That might be attributed to his awesome support system - his loving wife, parents and teammates, among others. But mostly, his nerves of steel and grit make him a giant among men.
