In a time where racism has become a major talking point and a social evil to be driven out of football, it’s fair to say Todd Cantwell is on the right path.
Cantwell, who made a name for himself during his stint with Norwich City and helped the Canaries achieve promotion with subsequent relegation the season after, now plays his trade for Rangers in the Scottish Premiership.
With stringent policies and respectful gestures implemented in sports against discrimination on any grounds from the color of the skin to the sexual orientation of the players and people across the United Kingdom, the 26 year-old Englishman seems to be doing his bit when it comes to fighting racism.
Todd Cantwell’s Instagram page seems to be the subject of some intensive discussion on social media these days and is making the rounds online.
Apparently, the Rangers winger has collected a series of Instagram stories under the Highlights section title ‘Equality’. The highlights boast a collection of photographs and stories that Todd had clicked and posted with players, personalities and people of colored skin and mixed race origins.
It even consists of a highlights reel where he is just simply standing alongside his teammates with colored skin. It’s a move that is going viral online and even subjected to a whole lot of jokes about his effort against racism.
With all said and done however, Todd Cantwell is a staunch supporter for the movement against racism and this is not the first time he finds himself in the news for his support.
After the initiation of the ‘Black Lives Matter’ movement back in 2020, Cantwell extended his solidarity and made his feelings known about the respect, or lack of it for dark skinned athletes and people. Such a gesture prompted widespread vote of thanks and respect for the then Norwich City player, even from Thierry Henry himself.
Aside from him being a sincere believer in taking the knee as a sign of respect, he even came out publicly to support Steven Gerrard’s scathing post-match press conference to protect his defender Glen Kamara who suffered racial abuse during his time at Rangers.
Cantwell’s spirited drive against racism stems from his own personal experience when he and his teammates were on the receiving end of some offensive gestures during his days with the U-21 England team.
While fans focus on Todd Cantwell’s uncanny Instagram stories, it’s important to note that the Dreham Deco has always worked in the spirit towards ending racism. Even many of his Instagram posts, even though he posted them to celebrate promotion or a title, contain some element of a social message against the social evil that is discrimination.
As the instances of such disgraceful acts of behaviour only climb at an alarming rate in football, it is personalities like Todd Cantwell that continue to fight for the greater good and remind the people that the battle is not yet won.
While it may be hilarious for some, it is an act of public service that goes beyond football.
