Young fan in tears at Zack Steffen’s class gesture; Coventry socials guy slide tackles Hamer

A young fan was left in tears at Zack Steffen’s class gesture and a video shows the Coventry socials guy slide tackles Gustavo Hamer.

Despite his side losing in the second leg of Middlesbrough’s Championship playoff semi final second leg, American keeper Zack Steffen still made time to stay behind and greet Boro fans.

In it, a group of children are seen in awe of him, as he signed autographs, gives away boots and gloves, and gives a number of hugs.

At the end of the clip, one young boy can be seen so overwhelmed with emotion that he can’t help but burst into tears, to which Steffen calls him over and comforts him. It’s impossible not to shed a tear at that…

Boropolis wrote: “A great goalkeeper and an even better human.

“There’s plenty of footballers that could learn an awful lot from @zacksteffen_.”

Zack can be heard saying: “Ay, what’s wrong buddy, what’s wrong, just be grateful that we had this.”

A great goalkeeper and an even better human.

There’s plenty of footballers that could learn an awful lot from @zacksteffen_. #Boro | #UTB pic.twitter.com/ra7tvcfX5o

— Boropolis (@Boropolis) May 18, 2023

Meanwhile, another video has surfaced online, going viral, with Hamer nearly getting wiped out as he ran over towards to away end to celebrate Coventry’s win.

He sprints over, but nearly ends up on the ground, with Tom Leach, who is the socials admin for Coventry City, nearly taking the player out while holding a laptop in his hand.

After one Twitter user said ‘Anyone else shit themself when the social media guy two-footed Gus 😂’, Tom replied ‘Yes’.

Luckily Hamer is absolutely fine, and was even a slight doubt for the game at Middlesbrough on Wednesday as his fitness was called into question.

Coventry’s social guy slide tackling one of his own players, laptop in hand 👏 pic.twitter.com/4JJb6G02eA

— Jim Lucas (@JFBLucas) May 17, 2023

Middlesbrough’s Michael Carrick on Sky Sports Football:

“We didn’t probably end up creating enough chances to score a goal. I thought we played some good football over the two legs and we got into good areas, didn’t quite create clear-cut chances enough, but I can’t knock the boys. We’ve had a fantastic few months and with their attitude and willingness to learn, put themselves out there, I’m so proud of the group.

“It tends to be the thing that is said in this situation, but I’m proud of the boys and the staff for what we’ve done, it’s just that we’ve come up a little bit short tonight. I’m gutted for the fans as the support we’ve had has been pretty special. It’s a tough one. These experiences are never nice – they are the best ones to learn from in many ways, but they are never nice when you go through them. We’ve got to take it on the chin.

“Fair play to Coventry. They are a good team, well organised. Mark and his staff have done an unbelievable job. Credit is due.”

Coventry’s Mark Robins on Sky Sports Football:

“I think that’s the longest game of my career! Middlesbrough are so good. You give them any sort of time, any space and they’ll hurt you.

“Over the three games, we’ve done really well in marshalling probably the two best centre-forwards in the division.

“The supporters have driven us on. It’s been an unbelievable team effort. Six long years of trying to get us to this stage. Next stage, a really tough game at Wembley now but we’ve got to enjoy tonight, we’re going to have a few drinks.”

This is what Twitter users said as a young fan in tears at Zack Steffen’s class gesture while others were amused as the Coventry socials guy slide tackles Hamer…

ON STEFFEN:

@shinebritediam1: Thank you for everything Zack, you’re a lovely guy and a great goalkeeper. Hope we see you again next season ❤️

@DannKharsa: Top player, Top human. I hope he comes back next season he’s been great for us.

@AytonBeats: Well done @zacksteffen_ 👏👏👏 thank you for this year! Please come back ! Utb

@JamesHu30795923: Held off the tears till now

@lugagwing7: Be grateful… wise words

@cbstar82: Hard to watch but what a class act @zacksteffen_ 🙌

@nolnahleahcim: Fuck sake man I’m 32 and crying

@Boro_Brick_Road: Top man Zack 👏

@TonyMcDonnell3: Top man!

@Smithy_MFC84: What a hero, would love to see him back at #Boro next season.

@CarlDraper98: Super Zack Steffen in goal

@bartrumus1986: 🥹 A top keeper and a top bloke. I hope we see you back here again next season @zacksteffen_.

@MissPampoynky: A player and a gentleman 👏💜

@carlsmith316: @zacksteffen_ thanks for your services this season. Top GK and will be missed

@muscatboro: For me Steffen is a great keeper and clearly a really decent human being. I genuinely hope we try and keep him for next season. He has embraced our community and fan base. Seen loads of videos and images like this all season. Respect.

@jade_mcmurtry: No one nicer in the industry then him 🫶🏻

@jackenglish99: What a guy, after all the stick he got too 🥹🇺🇸

@infant_hercules: Managed to not get upset last night. This has completely done me in

ON THE SLIDE TACKLE:

@sfc_debs: Imagine if he’d injured him and had to miss the final 😳

@LifeDeathGavin: When I saw this live I thought that a ‘Borough fan was taking defeat poorly.

@bristolianeagle: Honestly thought he was going to injure Hamer there. Imagine. Definite yellow card.

@jhuntlea: That’s the most perfect slip I’ve ever seen 😭😭 look at him fly

@EastTerraceClub: That’s a straight 🔴, no need to check VAR @Coventry_City

@JordanAR1995: 😂😂😂 Nearly sacked there @TomLeachF1

@F0reverEvert0n: If this was Everton the player would be ruled out of the final 🤣

@HLTCO: Imagine he’d accidentally put Hamer out of the final by doing this? Carnage.

@MattDavies_NP: My former colleague and big Cov fan @TomLeachF1 slide tackling their match winner is peak play-off joy. 👏

@ewanwhite1999: @TomLeachF1 what a legend