It seemed no one could see the funny side of a footballer who accidentally knocked his team out of an important tournament with an unfortunate own goal being gunned down by a crazed fan as he sat in a cafe, Stuart Campbell included.
"You've gone too far this time," said the man who once wished old soldiers dead.
With typical gleeful mischievousness, AP replied to the people who troubled to write in complaining by adopting Andrés as an Ed-like mascot.
For months after his amusing perils-of-breakfast death, such lines as
Remember kids - in-jokes - just say no. (I agree. - Andrés Escobar.)
and
Bad taste is what entertainment is all about. (I agree. - Andrés Escobar.)
assured his paper-based immortality, until he was superseded by Dennis Potter's wife.