10 things you didn't know about Jermaine 'Tuffy' Anderson

Jermaine 'Tuffy' Anderson has always had a loyal fan base. They have even taken their love for him and his talent on the road by staging protests on his behalf, saying he was unfairly treated when he was not selected to wear the national colours.

But this talented footballer is surprisingly an intensely shy young man whose natural talent has propelled him to the forefront of the national debate about our football programme and, particularly, our recent campaign to make it to the 2016 World Cup in Brazil.

A 'last minute' inclusion on the Jamaican national team, which saw him scoring an equalising goal, which extended Jamaica's albeit weak lifeline to qualify for Brazil, has not only silenced his critics and empowered his fans, but has called into serious question the methodology employed by our national selectors!

Today, Outlook shares 10 things previously unknown about national player Jermaine 'Tuffy' Anderson, the current hero of Jamaica's football.

1 Was born in Granville, St James, at the Cornwall Regional Hospital, and thinks he was dubbed 'Tuffy' because of his strong, chunky build!

2 Is from a large family and has nine sisters and seven brothers.

3 Attended the Granville All-Age-School and the Montego Bay Secondary, now Montego Bay High!

4 Has a ritual before each game which includes; having a bowl of cornmeal porridge; meditating and playing out the game and his role in the game, before taking the football field, praying and giving thanks for the ability to play!

5 Favourite colours are 'red, green and gold' and lists his favourite dishes as ackee and salt fish, rundown, and curried chicken back, well peppered. He prefers to chill out listening to I-Octane.

6 Is quite fussy about his footwear while playing as he believes in donning a very comfortable pair of shoes, instead of one for style, in order to maximise his performance in the game.

7 Is ever conscious of his humble background and upbringing. But, unlike some of his peers, he does not see his humble background as a disadvantage, but as an advantage as this experience has equipped him with some life-coping skills that continue to serve him well.

8 Always prays for his team before going to sleep at nights. He takes the advice of his team coach to each game and to general problem solving.

9 Has had only one goal/ambition as a child and now, as an adult, and that is to play internationally for Jamaica.

10 Has only one child and takes his role as a father very seriously. He thinks of his daughter as his good-luck charm and always speaks to her before each game (national or club) and tells her he will score a goal for her.

- C.F.J