If there’s one person who knows better than most what James Taylor is experiencing right now, it’s Fabrice Muamba.
England batsman Taylor has been forced to retire from professional sport at the age of 26 because of a serious health problem – and that’s something Muamba went through four years ago.
Muamba suffered a cardiac arrest on the pitch while playing for Bolton against Tottenham at White Hart Lane in 2012 and, though he remarkably recovered after his heart stopped for 78 minutes, he had to hang up his boots.
Muamba was one of the first to reach out to Taylor when news of his own retirement, having been diagnosed with arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy, which can cause cardiac arrest among young athletes, was announced.
@jamestaylor20 having life is a great option.Retirement is inevitable but for some of us it's just earlier than expected.Enjoy life ??
— fabrice muamba (@fmuamba) April 12, 2016
And the message clearly struck a chord with Taylor.
Look forward to hopefully meeting you one day mate! #inspiration https://t.co/ffgfQHkjgm
— James Taylor (@jamestaylor20) April 12, 2016
After retiring, Muamba earned a BA in sports journalism and has been involved in training sessions with Liverpool’s under-21 team, as well as doing occasional media work.
What the future holds for Taylor, only time will tell but, as many have pointed out, at least he has a future.
Thinking of @jamestaylor20 top kid & fantastic cricketer! Cricket is amazing but there r bigger things for you to achieve now bro..go enjoy
— Adam Hollioake (@adamhollioake) April 12, 2016
To my team mate and friend.You have left an irreplaceable gap in the side but so grateful we still have you with us. https://t.co/Q1p70ZHweF
— Brendan Taylor (@BrendanTaylor86) April 12, 2016
However more importantly than his cricket career I wish him good health & happiness for the future. Class player & class bloke.
— Mark Ramprakash (@MarkRamprakash) April 12, 2016