Arsenal announced the death of Kevin Campbell on Saturday (Image: Richard Sellers/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images)
After a brief illness, former Arsenal striker Kevin Campbell passed away this week at the age of 54. Ray Parlour, one of his teammates, was among many who paid respect on social media.
Following criticism for being ‘insensitive’ in his remembrance of former Arsenal teammate Kevin Campbell, Ray Parlour has apologised.
This week, Campbell, 54, passed away after a brief illness. The former Premier League striker is most renowned for his years at Everton, where his goals earned him a fan favourite, and his boyhood team, Arsenal, where he co-won the 1993 double with Parlour.
After the tragic announcement on Saturday morning, tributes poured in, describing Campbell as “very unwell” and his recent hospital admission. Parlour was among his former teammates who conveyed their condolences on social media, along with Ian Wright and Wayne Rooney.
The 51-year-old first shared the following on Twitter, then known as X: “Heartbroken to hear the news this morning. RIP Kevin. Excellent athlete and a more pleasant man. I’m thinking of his family during this difficult time.
Then, as a tribute to Campbell, Parlour posted a video of himself on social media pouring a concoction of beer and Jagermeister, something he does frequently. Fans criticised him online for that, and he later removed the video, writing, “I apologise if my previous post offended anyone. I sincerely apologise if I came off as being insensitive.
“I genuinely feel heartbroken for Kevin’s friends and family during this dreadful period since I adored him. They have my undying love, as does everyone who has encountered this incredible man.”
Just before 10:30 on Saturday, Arsenal released the following statement to announce the news: “We are devastated to discover that our former striker Kevin Campbell has passed away after a brief illness. At the club, everyone loved Kevin. We are all praying for his family and friends during this trying time. Kevin, rest in peace.”
I apologise if I have upset anyone in my last post I’m whole heartedly didn’t mean to come across insensitive i loved Kevin and I’m honestly devastated for his family and friends at this terrible time I’m sending all my love to them and any one who came across this amazing man
— Ray Parlour (@RealRomfordPele) June 15, 2024
“Everyone at Everton is deeply saddened by the death of our former striker Kevin Campbell at the age of just 54,” the team stated in the meanwhile. As anyone who has ever met him will attest, he was not just an iconic figure in English football and a great hero of Goodison Park, but also a remarkable person. Farewell, Super Kev.”
When Wright appeared on ITV to cover Spain’s 3-0 victory over Croatia at Euro 2024, he paid poignant respect to Campbell by stating: “I can’t really go too deep into it.” It’s really recently made. It was only this morning that I learned.
“His family has my sincerest sympathies and best wishes, but it’s too soon for me to discuss it. I always become emotional when I start talking about it. Many others, including myself, thought the world of him.”
