Marco Reus - Loyalty Personified
A Look at Loyalty Through the Lens of a Soccer Star
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Hey everyone! First and foremost, I hope y’all had an amazing Memorial Day weekend! As always, my social media feed was full of people getting out of whatever city they live in to go to the beach, the mountains, etc. I didn’t get out of NYC, but my weekend couldn’t have gone any better when I was invited to a crawfish boil on Saturday:
While Memorial Day is unofficially known as the beginning of summer, it’s always good to take a step back and appreciate all the fallen soldiers who served to keep America the land of the free. If you have any family members who are current, former, or deceased servicemen, take some time to thank them or think about them today as they helped make America the best place on planet Earth. Also, just so we’re clear, those people in your life who have/had an affiliation with the US military are way more badass than you.
Today’s blog will be about a much different topic so I’ll stop embedding US military hype videos and start writing now. For today’s blog, I want to discuss an important human quality in the context of my favorite soccer player of all time who will be hanging up his boots for my favorite club, Borussia Dortmund. That quality is loyalty, and that player is Marco Reus. Let’s dive in.
What is Loyalty and Why It Is Important
I’m obviously not famous enough to be attributed to any quotes on Goodreads, but if I ever do, there’s one quote I’d like to mark down as mine:
There are two things in this world that take years to build but seconds to lose: loyalty & respect.
That quote probably has some flaws, but I’ll stick with it proudly (we’re talking about loyalty after all). Loyalty is one of the most valuable virtues that we seek out in our lives. While people strive to be loyal themselves (at least I would hope so), it is one of the few virtues that we hope those around us practice more than ourselves. Whether it be family, friends, romantic partners, work colleagues, or anyone else we see consistently, we want these people to have an unwavering faith in us during all of the ups and downs in our lives.
I get it, all of y’all already understand what loyalty is, and you don’t need some mid-20s guy with a blog telling you that. So, instead of trying to go on for thousands of words trying to mansplain you, I want to provide you with one of the best examples of loyalty in the sports world from my favorite player of all time: Marco Reus.
I’m sure most of my audience who is reading this probably have no idea who this guy is, so let’s do a quick backstory. Born on May 31, 1989 (yes, I waited to post this on his birthday), in Dortmund, Germany, Marco Reus had a passion for soccer early on. Growing up in the heart of the Ruhr region, Reus was a passionate fan of Borussia Dortmund, one of Germany’s most storied clubs, often watching games at their iconic stadium, Signal Iduna Park. His love for the club was evident from the start, as he joined Dortmund's youth academy, BVB's youth system, at the age of seven.
Reus's journey to the first team was not straightforward. After spending a decade in the youth academy, he moved to Rot Weiss Ahlen to gain more playing time and experience. His talent and hard work paid off, leading to a move to Borussia Mönchengladbach in 2009, where he quickly made a name for himself as one of the Bundesliga's brightest talents. His impressive performances caught the eye of his boyhood club, and in 2012, Reus returned to Borussia Dortmund, fulfilling a lifelong dream.
Since rejoining Dortmund, Reus has been an integral part of the team, playing 428 games for the club (4th most in club history) and notching 170 goals (2nd most) & 131 assists (most). known for his versatility, creativity, and leadership on the field. He has consistently demonstrated his skill and determination, becoming one of the Bundesliga's most respected players. Despite facing numerous injuries throughout his career, Reus's resilience and passion for the game have made him a stand-out figure in German football.
A Stunning Example of Loyalty
So now you have hype videos of the US military and a German footballer in the same blog, and still not too much on loyalty. Have no fear, because now that part of the blog is here. I’ve identified five key tenets that exemplify loyalty and I’ll explain each one using our German football starlet Marco Reus as he truly is one of the best examples I could ever think of. Let’s start it off with our first tenet.
Commitment in Adversity
No matter how good someone’s life is, you will inevitably have ups and downs that you must persevere through. When circumstances become challenging, maintaining dedication and support requires strength and resilience. Loyalty isn't just about standing by someone or something when everything is going well; it is about staying committed even when facing difficulties and uncertainties. This kind of loyalty builds trust and demonstrates a deep, unwavering connection, showcasing a person's true character and integrity. As Marilyn Monroe said:
If you don't love me at my worst, then you don't deserve me at my best.
Marco Reus exemplifies this tenet exceptionally after battling lots of adversity throughout his career at Borussia Dortmund. Specifically, despite his incredible talent, Reus has a long list of injuries that have sidelined him for many matches for club & country, including key ones such as the 2014 World Cup which Germany won. However, amidst these setbacks, Reus has always managed to recover and continue being one of Dortmund’s top performers year in & year out. Reus also stuck it out with Dortmund through thick and thin, even when being given transfer opportunities while Dortmund was ranked 16th in the Bundesliga (there are 18 teams) mid-way through the season.
Consistency
While it’s incredibly important to display loyalty when people are at their lowest, being there for someone/something consistently and not seasonally is equally crucial. Regardless of the circumstances, being there for someone consistently when needed builds a strong connection as it shows someone they can turn to their counterpart at any moment. Think about how loyal you are to your barber. They’ve always been there for you to fix your hair, no matter if you went in just for a little trim or a full makeover.
Since being signed in 2012, Marco Reus has been a consistent performer at an incredibly high level for Borussia Dortmund, regardless of the team’s success. His impressive stats I mentioned earlier and his hard work ethic displayed on the pitch, highlight his consistent contribution to the team’s success. Additionally, Reus consistently opened up the scoring in Dortmund’s games, scoring the opening goal of the match 47 times in the Bundesliga. Reus's consistent presence and performance have been a cornerstone for Dortmund, providing the team with a reliable leader and a constant threat to their opponents.
Sacrifice
Loyalty often requires personal sacrifices for the greater good. True loyalty means putting the needs and interests of others or the group above personal gain, and sacrifice is a testament to the depth of one's commitment, as it often involves foregoing opportunities, comfort, or resources for the benefit of something larger. This selflessness is a hallmark of genuine loyalty, strengthening bonds and fostering a sense of collective well-being.
As I described earlier, Reus always dreamed of playing at his home club Dortmund. While this was his dream, that doesn’t mean he has not sacrificed a lot of opportunities along the way, particularly transfer opportunities. Before he even began at Dortmund, Germany’s largest club Bayner Munich was eyeing a transfer for Reus, and was even welcomed into the home of Bayern’s manager to try and woo him to their club. Additionally, Paris Saint Germain (France’s best & richest team), came knocking in 2014 and 2015, offering to triple and quadruple Reus’ salary. Furthermore, arguably the two biggest clubs (Real Madrid & Barcelona) were in talks with Reus for huge deals when Dortmund was in 16th place in the German league. However, instead of hopping off what appeared to be a burning ship, Reus extended his contract at the club for another 5 years. He could’ve made millions more, probably won more titles, and been offered more brand sponsorship opportunities elsewhere, but sacrificing these opportunities to stay at the club of his dreams is a true testament to his loyalty.
Leadership
Loyal individuals usually have the trust, appreciation, and dedication of those around them. Thus, loyal people are typically incredible candidates for leadership positions in their lives both personally and professionally. In the context of loyalty, leadership means setting an example through actions, providing support, and encouraging others to stay committed to the overall goal or mission the team is trying to accomplish. A loyal leader is someone who not only stands by their principles but also uplifts those around them, fostering a culture of dedication and mutual respect. This type of leadership is crucial for maintaining morale and unity within any group.
While all the individual accolades and trophies are great to win, many professional athletes say that receiving the honor of team captain is their greatest achievement (including the likes of Tom Brady). Reus was an athlete to carry this honor, having been named captain of the team before the 2018/19 season, and serving in that role for five years at the club, being one of the top 5 longest tenured captains in club history. With so many top talents coming to and leaving the club during Reus’ span such as Robert Lewandowski, Jude Bellingham, Erling Haaland, etc. (this list is so long it hurts to look at), it’s been crucial for the club to have a steady and reliable player to lead the team.
Connection with Fans
This last tenet is specifically geared towards athletes and their fan bases, but it’s still important nonetheless. Building a strong bond with the community and fans from your work not only within the sport but also with the community around the athlete is crucial for building loyalty. A deep connection with supporters fosters a sense of belonging and mutual respect, enhancing the overall experience for both the individual and the community. This bond is strengthened through genuine interactions, shared experiences, and a continuous demonstration of commitment to the fans. This can include things like helping fund the construction of a school (Lebron James), providing funding during natural disasters (JJ Watt), and many more opportunities.
Given his background as a homegrown talent, Reus was destined from the start of his Dortmund career to have a special connection with the community and fans of not only the club but the city of Dortmund as a whole. However, he took it a step further during his 12 years at Dortmund by frequently giving back to the community. Reus regularly visits local children’s hospitals, donating the profits of his clothing brand to charity, and giving away 500,000 euros to small businesses based in the Dortmund area during the COVID pandemic.
Conclusion
Tomorrow will be Marco Reus’ final game playing for the black & yellows playing in the biggest club competition game every year: the Champions League Final. This year, the game will quite fittingly be played in England’s famous Wembley Stadium, a venue that hasn’t hosted this match since 2013. What happened in 2013 you may ask? Well, in Reus’ first season playing for Dortmund, he played in the Champions League Final against arch-rival Bayern Munich and lost on a late goal from Arjen Robben. While that game still haunts Dortmund fans to this day, the club has a chance for redemption against the star-studded, winningest club in Champions League history: Real Madrid. Will it be easy for Reus and the club? No. Are they favored? Not even close. However, after giving his all for his hometown club for 12 years, through all of the blood, sweat, and tears, Reus has the chance to create the ultimate “Hollywood Ending” to his career. While a win would further cement himself as one of the greatest in the club’s history, his loyalty will always shine through as a prime example of commitment not just for the club, but for sports as a whole.
Thanks for reading, and happy birthday to Marco Reus. I’m actually so excited about this game tomorrow that it’ll take up my entire Saturday tbh. I also just realized how much traveling I have going on this summer (Nashville, Orlando, Boston, Los Angeles, New Orleans, and maybe more), so apologies in advance if the blogs start slowing up over the next few weeks. I’ll try to hold myself accountable. Not sure what I’ll be writing about next week, but I can almost guarantee it will be about something wildly different than this. Go Dortmund!
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