Freddie Flintoff on cricket, crashes, and career changes: 7 life lessons ahead of his new documentary
I don't love cricket, but I do love Freddie Flintoff
Freddie Flintoff is not just a sporting legend but well on his way to national treasure status after a thirty year career taking in cricket's much-coveted Ashes wins, cult UK panel shows, and even one of the most popular presenting slots on TV: Top Gear. After a life-altering car crash in December 2022, he (understandably) took a complete step back from the public and is finally back with his new tell-all Disney+ documentary, Flintoff.
The documentary charts Freddie's journey from nine year old cricket prodigy with his dad in their local club, to his Ashes rise and fall, all the way through to the unseen aftermath of his horrific accident. All underscored by Freddie's own confessions and reflections on his career, and his gentle contemplation on what he'll do next.
Ahead of the documentary’s release on Friday 25th April, Freddie shared what he’s learnt over the last three decades. Behind the ridiculously humble man lies some truly great pearls of wisdom.
1) Being at rock bottom can be comfortable if you challenge yourself to climb
"Sports teaches you every side of life - the ups, downs, the intense highs, and the low points," says Freddie.
"These are the most dangerous parts I love the challenge to get back up, to climb back up but then there’s always a risk that you don’t and that can be really frightening.
"Sport gave me a coping mechanism - the passion and resilience you have, as well as people surrounding you who you love and who love you. The return to cricket is the one good thing to come from the accident."
2) Most days are out of your control, but your reaction and emotions aren’t
"One of the things sport teaches you is that there is so much you have no control over - the players, the game, the throws," says Freddie.
"When you’re at a match, waiting for it to start, so much of it is completely out of your hands. It can be easy to doubt yourself, I was never worried about questioning myself, it was more the answers. But there are always things that you can keep constant."
3) The dressing room dynamic is sacred. It’s one of the most important spaces and atmospheres. But you can try and bring this to any environment you’re in
"The dressing room dynamic is the thing you miss as much as the game," reminisces Freddie.
"It’s a safe space and should be protected at all costs - you’re surrounded by people you respect.
"Being back in the dressing room is the second best place to be outside of home. I hope to foster the same atmosphere within the dressing room when I coach. Even when I’m doing TV gigs, when you’ve got people around you beforehand - makeup, wardrobe, crew - I still try to create that same atmosphere, making people feel like it’s a safe space where everyone is respected."
4) Being captain is the greatest honour, but leading is not for everyone
"It’s the greatest honour to lead your country and be given the opportunity to carry captainship, but it just wasn’t for me. I was a good right hand man but I didn’t need the armband," he remembers.
"As a captain I couldn’t switch off after a game unlike when I was a player and would go and switch Corrie on after a match. [Michael] Vaughan was an amazing captain who I was only ever filling in for, and although captaining wasn’t for me, I think the experience has made me a better coach now."
5) Be present
"As a player you’re always looking ahead, you’re constantly chasing something. Now, being present is the perfect place for me," says Freddie of his newly mindful outlook on life.
"I love coaching and working with a new generation of young men - when you’re a coach you’re also responsible for their wider coaching - hopefully you’re guiding them as they navigate in life as well as the game."
6) Understand and respect that you always have people looking out and after you
"I am under no illusion that I have people looking after me," says Freddie of his home life and relationships.
"My wife and family encouraged me to do this documentary in the first place. Every game I played I carried a lot of people with me - I was so fortunate to play with so many amazing players."
7) It’s the people and professionals around you who get you through
"When I had the accident, there were so many people who surrounded me," recalls Freddie of his life-changing crash.
"I remember when I was waiting for the air ambulance to take off, one of the doctors was holding my hand and just said: 'this is going to take off in a minute, but I’ve got you, I’m going to get you through this' and he did.
"So did the ketamine to be fair - I didn’t even know we’d taken off…"
"I’m not really sure what I want from this documentary but there are so many people I want to go and thank not just from a cricket side but also from a human side - I hope this does this in part."
The Flintoff documentary left Shortlist completely inspired and in awe of this humble, resilient, down-to-earth guy — we felt pretty privileged to have been able to share even 60 minutes learning about one of the most vulnerable periods of this sporting legend's life. Whether you're a die-hard Flintoff fan, or a complete novice, the Flintoff documentary should definitely be on your watchlist.
Flintoff is available to stream on Disney+ from 25th April
Main image credit: Disney