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David Beckhams story is one that captured the attention of a nation. Whether you liked it or not, living in England during his time at Manchester United, there was no escaping the Beckham brand. He was constantly in the spotlight, hounded by paparazzi and living out his life on the front and back pages of the newspapers. The Beckham brand grew quickly and ferociously as it spread around the world. Of course, having a pop star wife contributed greatly to his celebrity status back in those early days, but now as he announced his retirement as a player on Thursday, Beckham-mania is very much still in effect. The former England captain created as many headlines off the pitch as he did on it, but he leaves behind some fantastic moments that will never be forgotten. For me, there are many memories that stand out - but none more so than the stoppage time free kick against Greece at Old Trafford which secured England a place in the 2002 World Cup. It wasnt just because of the goal he scored, but the journey he had taken to get to that point. He became a national hero, just three years after being vilified for his sending off against Argentina at France 98. So what else will he be remembered for? Obviously his sweet right foot, his incredible passing ability and his trademark free kicks. But for of all his accomplishments during an illustrious career, the one that hits closest to home for us here in North America is the legacy he left behind following his six years in Major League Soccer. When Beckham signed with LA Galaxy in 2007, one of his primary goals was to help grow the league and the game in North America, and there is absolutely no doubt in my mind that he achieved that. As MLS Commissioner Don Garber sums up succinctly, “Now MLS is far more popular and important here and abroad than it was when he arrived." Over the last few years, I have had the opportunity to witness the impact of Beckham first-hand. It was always incredible to see the number of television cameras that would come out when he was visiting Toronto, Montreal or Vancouver. The first time he arrived in Toronto as a Galaxy player just after joining the club, I remember being ushered into Air Canada Centre the day before the game for a press conference where he announced he wasnt fit enough to play. Even though he didnt make it onto the pitch, just his presence provided a real buzz in the city. Over 60,000 people turned up in Montreal last season to see Beckham take on the Impact at Olympic Stadium, and the sell -out signs were up at BC Place when he arrived to take on the Whitecaps in July 2012. His presence helped people across North America take notice of Major League Soccer. Sold out stadiums partnered with increased revenue for MLS from corporate partnerships, TV deals and merchandise sales were all immediate benefits of Beckhams arrival. However, perhaps the biggest way Beckham has influenced MLS has been by lifting its profile amongst players around the world. Beckham legitimized MLS as a playing option for many European players and in years since, other big names have followed. Speaking with players who have made the switch and some who are considering it, they all point to Beckham joining LA as the moment in time when they began to take serious notice of Major League Soccer. Beckham is the reason why, overnight, the league took a step up in importance on the world football ladder. At the time of his exit from Major League Soccer, Tim Leiweke who played a major role in bringing Beckham to LA during his time in charge of Anschutz Entertainment Group sad this: "Seldom does an athlete redefine a sport and David not only took our franchise to another level but he took our sport to another level." There are many people who will be glad Beckhams playing career has come to an end. Some say his soccer abilities were inflated because of his celebrity status, and to a certain extent that may be true. But I do believe this - there is no other soccer player in the world that has ever had as far-reaching impact as Beckham. That doesnt mean hes the best player to ever grace the pitch. Far from it. But he found a way to transcend the sport, and the game benefitted because of that.Carl Crawford Jersey . Ivanovic was leading 7-5, 1-0 when Hantuchova withdrew after falling 0-40 behind in the second game. The match started slowly for Ivanovic, who surrendered her first two serves as Hantuchova took a 5-3 lead. Kevin Brown Dodgers Jersey . Hamelin, who triumphed in the 500 on Saturday, edged out Victor An of Russia by 0.021 seconds to maintain his lead in the World Cup standings. Russias Vladimir Grigorev was third. 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"I didnt need to be anybody else, I just needed to be myself and be aggressive," said Burks, who scored a career-high 34 points to spark the Utah Jazz to a 118-103 victory over the Denver Nuggets on Monday night.CLEVELAND -- The Browns arent kicking kicker Cody Parkey to the side just yet.Parkey missed three field goals, including a 46-yarder on the final play of regulation Sunday, as Cleveland lost 30-24 to the Miami Dolphins in overtime. He was making his debut for the Browns after Patrick Murray injured his left knee in practice on Friday and was placed on injured reserve.Despite the inaccuracy, Browns coach Hue Jackson said the team does not have any immediate plans to replace Parkey.Thats a tough job, Jackson said Monday. I challenge any of us to come in here on a flight late Friday night, wake up and meet the coach for a second and then get on another flight and head to Miami and not know really a lot of your teammates, but some and walk out and kick in pregame and then go kick in a game where you attempt five of these field goals.Not two, not one, but five. Thats a lot of pressure. And then heres the game-winner sitting you right in the face. So I cant put that on him. Thats a tough situation.Parkey took full responsibility for the three misses. He didnt get a chance to practice with long snapper Charley Hughlett or holder Britton Colquitt until a few hours before kickoff.Jackson said its easy to fault Parkey, but there are numerous variables that go into a kick.Well, everybody says, thats the kickers job, Jackson said. It is his job, but normally a guy has a job, hes been around him employer a little bit, hes been around his teammates a little bit.It was tough circumstances. If he wouldve made it, wed be celebrating right now. But he didnt. And I think its unfair just to dump it all on him.Parkey was limited to just three gammes last season for Philadelphia because of a groin injury.ddddddddddddHe made the Pro Bowl as a rookie in 2014, when he scored 150 points and made 32 of 36 field-goal tries. He was released earlier this summer by the Eagles after Caleb Sturgis beat him out.On Sunday, Parkey missed a 41-yarder and converted field goals from 46 and 48 yards before hitting the left upright from 42 yards.After the Browns recovered a fumble in the final minute by Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill, Parkey was in line to make the game-winner and become an instant star in Cleveland, but his attempt sailed wide left.Jackson denied a report the Browns signed Parkey instead of former Chicago Bears kicker Robbie Gould because he was cheaper to sign.We made an organizational decision that that was the right guy for us, Jackson said.We felt good about watching him kick on tape, we felt good about everything that he was doing. We felt he was the best of the group. I felt very comfortable in it. We took the guy that we wanted, it was Cody Parkey and thats the guy we put on our team and thats the guy that kicked for us.Game notesNew right guard Alvin Bailey was arrested early Monday morning on suspicion of operating a vehicle while impaired. The Browns said they spoke with Bailey to express our displeasure and extreme disappointment. Bailey moved into the starting lineup last week after John Greco slid to center and replaced Cam Erving, who sustained a bruised lung.---AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFL ' ' '