High school hero: Michael Thatcher
Posted on 12/23/2007 1:56:41 PM PST by Stoat
High school hero: Michael Thatcher
Michael Thatcher is continuing to foster Baroness Thatcher's special relationship with the U.S. - by helping his high school American football team into the Texas state finals.
The 18-year-old took a brilliant diving catch from a looping 48-yard pass in front of 10,000 fans last week.
The dramatic moment was broadcast live on TV and one excited commentator exclaimed: "Wow! Can the guy run, can he catch, can he do everything?"
Margaret Thatcher, then Prime Minister, announced Michael's birth in 1989 by declaring outside 10 Downing Street: "We have become a grandmother."
The son of Sir Mark Thatcher and Diane Burgdorf, the Texan-born daughter of a wealthy U.S. car dealer, he spent most of his childhood in South Africa where he enjoyed cricket and hockey.
He started playing American football - which is nicknamed gridiron - three years ago when he moved to Dallas with his mother after his father was charged in South Africa with supporting a bungled coup in Equatorial Guinea.
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Debut: Baby Michael with his parent and grandmother
He admitted to being in "a state of shock" about his catch.
"I'm the kind of guy who gets pretty nervous coming out," he said.
"But as soon as we start running the ball, I'll come into a rhythm and I'm sure the rest of the team is the same way."
Randy Allen, coach of the Scots, the Highland Park high school team in Dallas, praised the teenager's "hard work, dedication and discipline".
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In action: Michael shows off his skill on the pitch
At 6ft 1in and weighing 170lb, Michael is still a little small for his position of running back, but is training to increase his size.
Mr Allen said: "He could be one of the best running backs in the state."
Although Lady Thatcher, 82, appears to have little interest in sport, her late husband, Denis, was a rugby referee and a keen golfer. Michael's parents divorced after nearly 20 years of marriage in April.
His father is only able to see Michael and his 14-year-old sister, Amanda, when they travel abroad because U.S. immigration authorities barred him from entering the country after he pleaded guilty over his role in the Equatorial Guinea affair.
He was fined £265,000 and given a four-year suspended prison sentence.
Margaret Thacher's grandson becoming American Football star - Telegraph
Margaret Thacher's grandson becoming American Football starBy Kate Devlin Last Updated: 4:05pm GMT 23/12/2007
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Just rejoice! Michael Thatcher is a football hero - Times Online
WE have become a sports personality. The Thatcher family has a new star, with grandson Michael wowing the crowds as one of the top young American football players in Texas.
Michael, 18, has come a long way since Margaret Thatcher, then prime minister, hailed his birth in 1989 with the immortal line: “We have become a grandmother.”
He helped to carry his high school team to this weekend’s state championship finals in Waco, Texas, by taking a stunning catch for a 48-yard “gain” in the quarter-final play-off. It left television commentators breathless with excitement.
He streamed towards the ball, caught it with his fingertips and rolled forward, before lifting it triumphantly in the air in front of a crowd of 10,000. [Watch a video of the catch ]
“Can the guy run, can he catch, can he do everything? Wow!” said one commentator.
Michael is the son of Sir Mark Thatcher and Diane Burgdorf, the Texan-born daughter of an American millionaire car dealer. He spent most of his childhood in South Africa playing cricket and hockey, but moved to Dallas with his mother three years ago after his father was charged with supporting a failed coup in Equatorial Guinea.
“My dad was really excited to get me playing cricket and field hockey,” Michael Thatcher said after the game. “He was a great cricket player when he was my age.”
Randy Allen, coach of the Scots, the Highland Park high school team in Dallas, said: “It was a spectacular catch. I have never seen anything like it.” He recalled when Michael turned up at the school with a South African accent. “He was so small and didn’t understand [American] football at all,” said Allen. “He thought about quitting, but he stuck at it.”
Now 6ft 1in and weighing 170lb, Michael is still on the slender side for a running back – one of the most important positions on the team – but is working on his size. “It’s a story about hard work, dedication and discipline,” said Allen.
“He lifts weights and practises catching the ball with the quarterback. I’m not sure what Michael’s future will be, but he could be one of the best running backs in the state.”
“I’m not known for my hands. I’m in a state of shock, to be honest,” Thatcher told The Dallas Morning News last week. “I’m the kind of guy who gets pretty nervous coming out. But as soon as we start running the ball, I’ll come into a rhythm and I’m sure the rest of the team is the same way.”
Lady Thatcher, 82, was not known for her sporting prowess but Michael’s late grandfather Denis, largely remembered for his love of golf, was so enthusiastic about rugby that he refereed county matches.
His daughter Carol, 54, showed the family competitive streak when she won the reality television show, I’m a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here!, two years ago.
Her twin Mark, whose career in motor sport ended when he got lost in the Sahara desert during the Paris-Dakar rally, has told friends he is “so pleased Michael is doing well in school and on the playing field”.
Behind his son’s success lies a family break-up. Although Mark Thatcher has seen his son’s games on DVDs, he has rarely seen Michael or Amanda, 14, his daughter, since separating from his wife. They divorced in April.
American immigration authorities barred him from entering the country after he pleaded guilty over his role in the Equatorial Guinea affair. He was fined £265,000 and given a four-year suspended prison sentence. His marriage ended after Diane accused him of infidelity.
Thatcher will play host this Christmas to his mother at the villa in Spain which he shares with Lady Francis Russell, sister-in-law of Lord Rothermere, the press baron. He keeps in touch with his children by telephone and e-mail.
“It’s very difficult because he cannot get a visa to go to the US, so he can only see his children when they travel,” said a friend.
American football is nicknamed gridiron? By whom?
Well, if he REALLY wanted to see his son play, he'd just come up through Mexico and enter the US that way. No visa required, and the immigration folks wouldn't think twice about it.
Cool!
Cool. All of my cousins went to Highland Park High. Last year’s 4A state champs. I know they were in the title game this year also.
I wonder what he says to the defender when he takes a solid hit? Oh, vedy nice tackle there old chap! or Bite me, ya wanker!
Nope. They were runner up this year.
http://www.uil.utexas.edu/athletics/brackets/football/index.html
Ping
cool!
The kid looks just like his granny.
“She was known as the Iron Lady and now her teenage grandson is a rising star of gridiron. “
Incredible, Texas high school football and Margaret Thatcher’s grandson. way cool
Yep, the Lake Travis Cavaliers beat Highland Park 36-34.
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Only the brits could make a football play sound gay.
He is a handsome boy. Hope he makes it in College.
I guess a little off topic but it reminded me of something. I was checking on the internet to see what ever happened to a girl I dated nearly 40 years ago.
I found a picture of her and her family and was surprised to learn her Son was a High School All American in Texas. I have no idea who selected the team. He looked just like her except he looked like a boy of course. I doubt he is playing in college as he only weighed 160lbs.
” Wow! Can the guy run, can he catch, can he do everything?”
Betcha he can’t jump . ; )
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My work here is done....
Niiiiice catch, and I see they were playing in my favorite team’s house.
I told this story to my puppy I named Maggie Thatcher and she is quite pleased. Her tail is wagging. On the other hand, her brother, Reagan, just growled.
Bump
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