When Marcus Rashford took to social media on Monday night to say he was “sorry” for missing his penalty, the England star was flooded with support and messages of “no apologies needed”.
There was also condemnation of the horrific racist abuse he and teammates Bukayo Saka and Jadon Sancho received in the aftermath of Sunday’s final.
“The messages I have received today have been positively overwhelming,” Rashford wrote in his heartfelt note, in which he said he would never apologise for who he is and where he comes from. “The communities that always wrapped their arms around me continue to hold me up,” he said.
He also shared three notes that he had received from school children since the game, including one from Dexter, aged 9, who wrote that he hoped Rashford wouldn’t be sad for too long. “Last year you inspired me to help people less fortunate. Then last night, you inspired me again, to always be brave.”
— Marcus Rashford MBE (@MarcusRashford) July 12, 2021
Dexter isn’t the only one who has written to the England squad. Unsurprisingly, school children across the country were talking about football – and racism – on Monday morning along with everyone else.
Thousands have since written letters to Rashford, Saka and Sancho, Gareth Southgate and the team, putting things better than we possibly could.
‘It means the world to us that you tried’
My class wrote this today, I am so humbled and moved by their words. Please share to get it to the right people 💛 @MarcusRashford@BukayoSaka87@Sanchooo10@UEFA@EURO2020@HKane@Englandpic.twitter.com/NlCQ7rDxxu
— Em(ily)⚓ (@abcdemilyx_) July 12, 2021
‘Don’t let the bullies hurt you’
I was really emotional this morning watching @gmb talking about @MarcusRashford 's moving tweet, it brought me to tears, my 8 year old son Charlie has wrote a little note for you Marcus, stay strong, lots of love ❤ #MarcusRashford#gmbpic.twitter.com/vBPZtjvHhA
— LoZZa (@JustLozza) July 13, 2021
‘You were upset you didn’t win but it’s okay’
Shocked by the abuse against the England team, my year 5 class decided to talk about how proud they were and pledged to take a stand against abuse. A thread. @Englandpic.twitter.com/LqFMvgRBDL
— Miss T (@Lauratymon) July 12, 2021
‘Don’t listen to the people saying unkind things’
My 7 year old, who didn't follow football b4 #Euros2021 but is now a fan, wrote this letter from the heart today to @MarcusRashford@BukayoSaka87 Jordan Sancho and the @England team. Dyslexia makes writing hard for him so it meant a lot. Think he speaks for all of us. pic.twitter.com/WVf3Nlykqo
— Helen Horsfall (@hmhorsfall) July 12, 2021
‘I hope you had fun … I am so proud of you’
@MarcusRashford : Luisa 7 year old wrote this letter to you on her first day of self-isolation. pic.twitter.com/Y9yVfEkvss
— Katja Gehmlich (@GehmlichKatja) July 12, 2021
‘Tell yourself we have made history’
@MarcusRashford just a little note from 10 year old wrote at @CedarwoodP school today to say chin up, it’s only gonna get better! pic.twitter.com/AojqAS8lvF
— Sarah-Lou Arch (@SarahLouArch1) July 12, 2021
‘What is most important is you tried your best’
@BukayoSaka87@MarcusRashford@England My class wrote some letters to you today. You have inspired them with your courage, resilience and team spirit. #WeStillBelieve#England#proudpic.twitter.com/caksxZpvxL
— Rob Evans (@_akarochemback) July 12, 2021
‘Our team is more bright than a rainbow and sun combined’
Today we reflected on the Euro final last night.
We discussed our feelings and learnt about the inspirational things the England players do off of the pitch!
We wrote our own messages to the England squad.@EnglandFootball@GarethSouthgate@MarcusRashford#teamrackhampic.twitter.com/9jvBucwng7
— Willow Class (@WillowClass6) July 12, 2021
‘Thank you for all our dinners’
The most heartfelt message put on Marcus Rashford’s mural was this…
“Thank you for all our dinners”.
From Reggie aged 6.🥺 pic.twitter.com/kp1HpRs5so— Devils of United 🔰 (@DevilsOfUnited) July 14, 2021
Reception children at @ncjps have been learning all about kindness and empathy towards others. They used @MarcusRashford as a role model and learned all about his work helping others, wrote kindness messages in love hearts and decided to collect food for the local food bank too. pic.twitter.com/KaqzYpgDb5
— ncjps (@ncjps) July 12, 2021