Wednesday Morning Man: Steven Gerrard!

The popular English player Steven Gerrard stepped up as captain for these World Cup games which has exposed him to international audiences.

Known as Stevie by his adoring fans (that’s what I call him), the midfielder is arguably the English Premiere Club Liverpool’s most recognizable player. He is known for being able to fill in gaps on the field and to play other roles on the team including second striker and winger.

Stevie, who has scored 17 goals in 82 international appearances for England, scored the opening goal of the team’s 1-1 draw with the United States on June 12.

In September 2006, Gerrard published his autobiography, Gerrard: My Autobiography, which ends with “I play for Jon-Paul.”

Gerrard’s ten-year-old cousin, Jon-Paul Gilhooley, was killed in the 1989 Hillsborough Tragedy when Gerrard was almost 9.

“It was difficult knowing one of your cousins had lost his life,” Gerrard said. “Seeing his family’s reaction drove me on to become the player I am today.”