BPresident Frank-Walter Steinmeier expressed his condolences to the widow Ilka Seeler after the death of former national player Uwe Seeler and praised the DFB honorary captain as a “legend of German football and a unique personality without great airs and graces”. “Your husband gave us many unforgettable games and scored inimitable goals,” says the letter published by the Federal President’s Office on Thursday. Seeler died on Thursday at the age of 85.
“Despite all the fame and popularity, your husband has always remained true to himself. He never forgot that you only get to the top if you don’t walk the path alone,” wrote Steinmeier. “You, dear Ms. Seeler, were always at his side and gave him strength and support in many difficult situations.” Steinmeier wrote that he fondly remembers his encounters with Seeler. “We will not forget Uwe Seeler and will honor his memory.”
Many others also expressed their condolences. “Germany mourns the loss of “Us Uwe”. He was a role model for many, a football legend and of course an honorary citizen of Hamburg. For his 80th birthday I was allowed to give the after-dinner speech: “We all want to be like #UnsUwe: self-confident and modest.” (Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz)
Aged 85
:
Soccer legend Uwe Seeler is dead
“Uwe Seeler was a role model for generations of national players. With his down-to-earth, modest and reserved manner, he also inspired people off the pitch and won them over. His name is a symbol of club loyalty and loyalty. He was on the pitch at four World Cups himself, later he accompanied our national team to tournaments as honorary captain and part of the DFB delegation, for example to South Africa in 2010. We have always enjoyed having him around. Uwe Seeler inspired us. All of us in the national team and in the DFB will miss him very much.” (National coach Hansi Flick)
“In Uwe Seeler we are losing one of the best footballers Germany has ever had. (…) But Uwe Seeler had an impact far beyond the football field. His down-to-earthness, his modesty and his connection to his hometown of Hamburg distinguished him throughout his life. With his foundation, he supported people in need and those who were in need through no fault of their own. He was also passionately committed to the DFB Sepp Herberger Foundation. His death makes us incredibly sad. Uwe Seeler will be greatly missed by the DFB and all of German football. We will miss ‘Uns Uwe’ very much.” (Bernd Neuendorf, President of the German Football Association)
“Role model for millions of people”
“Anyone who thinks of German football and its greatest thinks of Uwe Seeler. His death is a painful loss for the entire football family. Seeler stood for honest football, for loyalty and humanity, he was a player with heart and for hearts – we will always remember him as one of the very special things in the sport.” (Oliver Kahn, CEO FC Bayern)
“The death of Uwe Seeler hits the heart of the German football soul. “Us Uwe” was a folk hero, there wasn’t a fan in Germany who didn’t admire him. Seeler has moved the nation – even beyond the game. Personally, I was lucky enough to be able to work with him for a long time and to get to know him as a special person who approached everyone warmly, friendly and openly. FC Bayern is united in mourning with his family, relatives and friends.” (Herbert Hainer, President FC Bayern)
