Guiding light: player, coach, and financier, George Weah means everything to Liberian soccer—and Liberia means everything to Weah - Cover Story - Statistical Data Included

FANS OFTEN READ AND HEAR stories about athletes who say they want to give something back to the game. Then there is Liberia's George Weah, who isn't just giving something back, he's literally carrying his national team on his back.

Weah is the player, coach, technical director, and sponsor of the team. If he wanted to, Weah could rest on his laurels--among them 1995 FIFA player of the year--and the millions of dollars he has earned as one of the most exciting players in the world. Instead, Weah has invested a portion of his money--reportedly $2 million--and a good deal of his time and energy to bring some joy and hope into the lives of his Liberian countrymen, who have endured a bloody, 11-year civil war.

"George means a lot to us," says Steve Davis, a Liberian who is also Weah's agent. "We call him him King George. He is everything in Liberia. He stops traffic. I wouldn't even compare him to the president in Liberia, he is the most popular man in the country. He is so giving and so willing to work with other relief organizations."

Being his agent, Davis may be just a bit biased. But that sentiment runs strong among many Liberians--citizens and ex-patriots alike. "He is such a caring person," says Weah's 14-year-old daughter Martha. "Money means nothing to him. He is very unselfish. He is a role model, one that others can look up to and not just because he is my father.

"He is always thinking about others and he knows what sacrifice is all about. Other athletes should do the same. He is my idol."

Martha Weah might be a bit biased as well, but a pretty clear picture of the man is forming.

So, it shouldn't come as a surprise that a recent Weah project combined soccer and charity work. He organized an international friendly at Giants Stadium in August between Liberia and Colombia. Liberia lost to the Copa America champions, 2-1. "I think we can be proud of the national team," said Weah afterward. "And the fans saw a good game."

But the real winners were Liberians. Part of the proceeds went to the Union of Churches, which must raise $750,000 in order to transport $10 million worth of medical equipment and supplies from Atlanta to Monrovia, Liberia. The organization received Liberia's game appearance fee of $15,000 and got $4 for every ticket it sold. "It is a deplorable situation, you must see it to believe it," says Weah. "Things are hard. People are traumatized. For children in a hospital it was a good thing. I visited the hospital. We need all the facilities we can get. We are doing our best to help our country but it is very difficult.

"What I try to do is save my country any way possible. This is a good way to help the people."

Weah received a nasty introduction to politics in 1996 when he said he supported the idea of Liberia becoming a trust territory under UN supervision. The National Patriotic Front of Liberia, however, did not like Weah's remarks and they retaliated. Weah's relatives living in a seaside mansion near Monrovia, the country's capital, reportedly were flogged. Members of the Front, who looted the house and set it ablaze, raped two of Weah's teenage cousins.

Since then Weah has refrained from talking about politics--at least publicly. "It's difficult," he says. "They found my house and destroyed all my property. People were offended that I made that statement. Now, I'm just trying to keep a low profile.

"In Africa, there is no freedom of speech."

Instead, Weah has used his energy through soccer and charitable causes to help his countrymen.

Weah hoped the Liberian national team could have lifted the spirits of the country by qualifying for next year's World Cup. To do so, Liberia needed help from Ghana in its final game of African qualifying. The Liberians (5-3, 15 points) had already finished their schedule in first place when second-place Nigeria (4-2-1, 13) hosted Ghana (3-2-2, 11). The favored Nigerians, however, spoiled a potential storybook ending with a 3-0 victory.

"We are hoping for a miracle to happen," Weah said before the match. "It would change a lot of lives in Liberia.

"Anything can happen. I told the team, `No matter what happens, we did extremely well.' I will accept the results, but we're hoping and praying that Nigeria draws. If Nigeria wins, they deserve it."

Just reaching soccer's Promised Land would have done wonders for the shaken morale of a country that has been ripped apart by civil war. "We play for peace," says Weah. "The more we win, the more unity comes to our nation. Every trine we play it brings happiness to the people. If little Liberia would have come in first, we could have asked for no more than that."

"Little" Liberia has a historical attachment to the United States. Freed slaves formed the country in 1821. And Liberia's flag is strikingly similar to the American version, with one big white star in a field of blue, and 11 red-and-white stripes rather than 13.

When asked how much his desire to play in a World Cup fueled his efforts, Weah replied, "If I only wanted to play in the World Cup, I could have played for France. I also could have played for Cameroon, and I think with either I could have made a World Cup."