Thu 24 May 2012 | 
The Sweet Spot
It's a measure of a man
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Enlarge textI can still hear his call as if it was yesterday. It’s 1998 and the dulcet tones of Paul Williams trumpet loud and clear through the buzzing, temporary SBS World Cup facilities on location in Paris.
Australian football commentator Paul Williams was found dead in his Sydney apartment on the weekend. (SBS)
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The match in question is the first round clash between Chile and Italy.
Up to take a penalty steps Robby Baggio. The man whose effort four years prior ended up in the crowd rather than the back of the net, handing Brazil their fourth World Cup.
Baggio converts, his journey from sinner to saint complete. With it comes William’s spine chilling, poetic prose.
“It’s a measure of a man who at times must have wrestled with himself”.
Eleven years on, those words take on prophetic significance.
In this industry, there are many professionals. There was only one Paul Williams
I had the pleasure of working with Paul on SBS’s defunct nightly bulletin, Toyota World Sports during the late 90s and kept in touch during his time at a local Sydney radio station.
He was a quietly spoken man.
Someone who would visit the office at 2am just to conduct an overseas phone interview for a feature story.
Paul never had a negative word to say about anyone. He kept to himself but he was always pleasant.
He was respected as much for his professional ability as he was for his decency. In an industry renowned for its egos, Machiavellian politics and tantrums, that’s just about the highest praise one can receive.
To his peers, he was simply known as Paolo, an affectionate term of endearment usually bestowed upon one by the late, great Johnny Warren. Paul became Paolo. Robert became Robertito.
Like many of us at SBS, whilst I was aware of his struggle with chronic fatigue syndrome and depression, never could I imagine his life would tragically end the way it did at the weekend.
Paolo. Here’s to you.
Whilst your life ended far too early, your kind spirit will be remembered for years to come.
In my book, that’s the greatest measure of a man.
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Comments (5)
sad loss
Paul Williams was an inspiration, he will be sadly missed.
17 Oct 2009 11:14 AEST
From: Sydney
Vale Paul Williams
Beautifully written Robert. A fitting tribute to a wonderful commentator
16 Oct 2009 6:32 AEST
From: brisbane
Vale Paul
Wonderful tribute Robert. I remember Pauls Australia v Iran call myself and use to love his commentar
14 Oct 2009 12:54 AEST
From: Jerrabomberra
Paul Williams
Nice one. It says something about the effect certain people have left upon me that I still miss Paul Williams' commentary as much as I miss Johnny Warren's summations although Dave Basheer is as good anyone I've heard and Fozzie's excellent. SBS in general has left it's impressions on me unlike any other TV station. I miss still George Donikian, Mary Kostakidis; I miss Les Murray's commentary as well. Things move on but I think it's a measure of the power of a 'good' TV network. Keep it up!
13 Oct 2009 16:47 AEST
From: Sydney
Sadly missed
Great insider tribute Robert. He will definately be missed. Such a great caller
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About this Blog
World News Australia's Robert Grasso analyses the week in sport. Follow @RobertGrasso
Robert Grasso Robert Grasso is an award-winning Senior Sports Journalist, Producer and Presenter for SBS World News Australia.
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27 Oct 2009 9:14 AEST
John
From: Sydney