Why Bermuda's Silence on Clyde Best Echoes Loudest
Bermuda's recent reluctance to elevate any of its nominated figures to National Hero status, as revealed by Minister of Sport Owen Darrell, casts a harsh spotlight on a deeper, more persistent question: Why has Clyde Best, a true son of the soil and a global pioneer, still not been knighted?
The Minister's announcement, citing the Committee's view that "a new National Hero is a profound honour, reserved for individuals whose impact is not only exceptional, but larger than life," rings hollow to many when considering Best's towering legacy. This statement, dated May 27th, 2025, underlines a criteria that, for decades, seems to have inexplicably excluded one of Bermuda's most impactful figures.
Clyde Best's contribution transcends sport. As one of the first black footballers to play in England's top flight, his courage in the face of rampant racism in the 1960s and 70s paved the way for countless black athletes globally, fundamentally "transforming the beautiful game." Yet, while institutions outside Bermuda – like the University of Sunderland with its recent Honorary Doctorate – readily recognise his profound impact, his homeland remains conspicuously silent on knighthood.
This persistent denial, year after year, without any clear explanation from successive Bermudian governments, fuels a frustrating sense that personal or political reasons, rather than merit, are at play. It begs the question: if the barrier is indeed a UK issue, why has neither government taken a more forceful and public stand for a man whose international influence is undeniable?
The irony is not lost on observers. Next year, when "Transforming the Beautiful Game: The Clyde Best Story," a documentary produced by a firm outside Bermuda, is released, the island will undoubtedly witness a familiar spectacle. Those who have, for years, implicitly or explicitly denied him the knighthood will likely be the very first in line to publicly champion his cause, jostling for photo opportunities with an icon they failed to honour when it truly mattered – and without a hint of apology for their previous inaction.
The wait for someone else to validate Bermuda's heroes, only for the island to then jump onboard, diminishes not just the individual but the very fabric of national pride. The time for Bermuda to truly stand up for its living legends, unequivocally and without apology, is long overdue.
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