Steve Nash is one of the best basketball players in the world having won 2 MVPs in 2005 & 06, a sure first ballot hall of famer. But his athletic talent does not end on the basketball court as he is also a fantastic soccer player. As a youngster he played soccer at a very high level and probably could have become a professional. Obviously he made the right decision electing to focus on basketball based on the way he is career panned out.

Throughout the years playing in the NBA he’s always remained close to the sport of soccer, especially in his home province of British Columbia. He’s been very supportive of his brother Martin Nash played professional soccer for the local Vancouver Whitecaps and represented Canada’s national team on the world stage.

He’s also been extremely influential in expanding the sport in the city of Vancouver deciding take a percentage of ownership of the Whitecaps back in 2008. At the time they were only playing in USL-1 but the past couple of year’s he’s been adamant on putting them into a higher level of competition which has resulted in the Whitecaps making the transition into the MLS; the highest level of pro soccer in North America.

Yesterday the Whitecaps had their inaugural game in the MLS taking on Toronto FC. The setting was perfect as it was a sunny day in beautiful Vancouver and the game was played at old school outdoor Empire stadium. A couple of my buddies attended the game and I watched bits and pieces of it on TV and the crowd was electrifying.

When everyone found out Nash was in attendance he received a huge round of applause from the Vancouver fans. Here is the video:

Good for Nash. He really comes across as a class act & humble athlete. Something that seems to be rare with some of the attitude we see from NBA players. He is loved in our home province of BC where all sports fans have tremendous respect for him. It’s days like yesterday that further solidify everyones strong positive opinions on Nash. He was sitting in the crowd with the average casual fan blending in enjoying the soccer game. Gotta love it.

I’m not a huge soccer fan by any stretch of the imagination. But his involvement along with the great outdoor atmosphere & higher level of competition is enough to make me interested to go and watch some games this year. IntheOT.com will have to put together a ballin video while attending a game, make sure to check it out at a later date.

By Chad Margulius