Ian Wright's remarkable journey from a childhood on the Honor Oak Estate in Brockley to becoming an Arsenal legend and beloved TV pundit is well-known and celebrated.
Born in Woolwich to Jamaican parents, Wright grew up in the Honor Oak Estate, a community originally built in the 1940s to house people whose homes were destroyed in slum clearances.
According to the London Museum, the estate also produced another Arsenal legend, David Rocastle, who was Wright's childhood friend and teammate at Arsenal.
READ MORE: World Cup: Where to watch England vs Argentina in Bromley
He attended what is now Turnham Academy, in Nunhead, where he initially struggled to concentrate.
Wright credits his teacher, Mr Pigden, for changing the course of his life, a relationship poignantly displayed in a widely shared video of their emotional reunion years later.
Wright reflected on this during an appearance on BBC's Desert Island Discs, stating: "He just gave me a sense of feeling like I had some use. He was the greatest man in the world."
Wright's journey to football stardom was not without its challenges. His early life was marked by domestic violence, a topic he has spoken about powerfully.
In the BBC documentary 'Ian Wright: Home Truths,' he recounted the abuse he and his mother suffered at the hands of his stepfather, and how his mother once told Wright she wished she had terminated his pregnancy.
These harrowing experiences left Wright with deep-seated anger, which he eventually addressed through therapy as an adult.
Wright left school at 14 and worked as a plasterer while attending football trials with various clubs.
Despite his talent, he was not offered a contract until he was scouted for Crystal Palace while playing for south London club Ten Em Bee.
He signed his first professional contract with Palace in 1985 at the age of 21.
Wright's career took off at Crystal Palace, where he spent six years, winning promotion to the first division and scoring 117 goals.
His success at Palace led to a record-breaking transfer to Arsenal in 1991, where he became the club's all-time top scorer, a record later broken by Thierry Henry.
Among his many accolades, Wright won the Premier League and FA Cup with Arsenal and became a fan favourite for his skillful goals.
Wright's personality and passion for the game made him a mainstay of the BBC's flagship football programme, Match of the Day.
His laughter and enthusiasm brought joy to millions of viewers, making him a national treasure.
Wright has also been a vocal advocate for racial equality in football, drawing on his own experiences to speak with authority on the subject.
His cultural impact is significant, with his life story serving as an inspiration to many.
Wright's story is a testament to the power of resilience and determination. From his humble beginnings on the Honor Oak Estate, he rose to become a celebrated footballer and a much-loved public figure.
Even though he no longer graces the football pitch, Wright continues to be an influential figure, loved by those with only a passing interest in football and adored by fans of all teams.
His story is a powerful reminder of the triumph of the human spirit against adversity.