Steve Bennett

I just want to thank @jon_wertheim for thinking whatever I do was a story and @sinow for publishing it. I never thought Sports Illustrated would ever write about me, but they did. Wow. si.com/media/2021/05/…

I got away for a few hours and went to the rink. Played a hockey game. Let my mind off of it for a bit. I’m just incredibly heart broken. I feel trapped in a nightmare that will last at least 4 more years. I’ll be 50. 🇮🇹💔

I am so crushed. This might be the most devastated I’ve ever been about a game. I just want to curl in a ball and hide for 4 years. So cruel.

@Ferrellcomedy I’m just devastated.

Sorry we did this to you @Sports_Casters

“I am still proud of my lads. If you poke me with a dagger today, nothing will come out, my blood is all gone. It was important for the Italian football movement and it feels bad to go out like this.” “I was surprised too by the sheer heart and determination they showed today. We were there under siege, in the trenches. Yet here we are talking about not making it to the World Cup again. “I personally apologise for not having made it, but these lads gave absolutely everything.” All of this from Gattuso just breaks my heart. It breaks me to the core. This nightmare is set for 4 more years.

I will die with my head high. Believing in the men who fill this shirt. 
"I am hurt, but I am not slain; 
I'll lay me down and bleed a while, 
And then I'll rise and fight again.”

Gattuso put his nuts and his reputation on the line to try and rescue us when Spalletti was fired. I can’t be mad at him.

Sports are so cruel. I’m more sad than mad. I thought after the red card they played as hard as they could for almost 80 minutes. I see the anger on here. There will be a day for that. Today, I’m just devastated. I can’t believe this nightmare continues.

They absolutely died under the pressure in those pens. No running form that. 2 basically sailed over. Donnarumma only got close to 1. I just don’t even know. They won 7 games in that qualifying. Still found a way out.

Absolutely devastated.

It had to be pens I guess

Keep fighting.

Dig in. Suffer. Die in the shirt. 45 minutes.

We are ready to die. #ForzaAzzurri

For months now, you could even argue years, I’ve day (and night) dreamed about the moment Italy qualify for the World Cup. I’ve thought about the emotions and relief of a burden that has plagued the Nazionale. It’s hard to believe the time is here. Qualify and those dreams become reality or fail and wait at least 4 more years for those feelings to have a chance at being reality. I have believed in this team, the players, and Gattuso every step of the way. I’ve never wavered. I’ve defended them relentlessly online and in real life. I always believed in the blue shirt and found joy in watching the players compete in it. I want this because unlike my other favorite teams, the Azzurri are about my heritage and the pride I have in being Italian. My first game was the 1986 World Cup with Nonno. The Azzurri were a symbol of being Italian and his connection to the home he left for a better life. The idea of dying in the shirt for the pride of the badge was the same as dying and fighting for our values and our family. Win or lose I will never waiver. I’ll always dream about and for glory within the Italian national team. Today won’t change anything. Talking is over. It’s time to go out and win this game. No excuses. Forza Azzurri. 🇮🇹🇮🇹

This has to be a good sign for tomorrow right? Saints 🤝 Azzurri

Good Elder tonight.

Worlds Colliding.

DIII Hockey is awesome.

One of my top 10 favorite players of all time.

The book by @genowoj is one of the best in the history of the book club. Totally worth a read if you are looking. It’s called, The Last Great Game.