FlipBoardHuman wall Tim Howard just returned to the U.S. after an impressive showing in the World Cup. Understandably, everyone wants a picture with the goalie. But when it comes to getting bro hugs from fans, that is a little too much for our new Secretary of Defense. I don’t even hug some of my friends, so hugging a complete stranger is a standard, “No thank you.”
(Bleacher Report Via TMZ’s YouTube)
![[avatar]](https://profilecdn-woven.netdna-ssl.com/photo/8205/profile)
Tmz Sports, where I turn for hard hitting sports coverage.
What a dick… put your fucking phone down for a second…the least you can do is acknowledge the fans that support you…nobody even knew your name a week ago…at least look at the person who wants to shake your hand…you don’t have to hug that guy…I wouldn’t…but what the fuck…remember your the guy who said ” I signed up to put my face in front of balls”…now put your face in front of some fans…remember you play soccer…that’s below hockey in this country…
Strong take, bro.
I’d go so far as to say it is a “hot” take. A hot sports take, even.
taek
@LSMcCOY1234 you’re a fucking idiot.
So you say to acknowledge the fans he has but then imply that soccer has no fans in the US. Absurd comment is absurd.
Pie & NoHead- you guys really a think all of these U.S. ‘fans’ are still going to be having soccer fever in a few weeks? You think in a fee months they’ll remember half of the starting line for our cup team and seeking premier league games when they air late night? Much less supporting their local MLS teams? You’re fooling yourselves if so.
McCoys comment was over the top but he has a point.
No one is required to hug strangers. High-5’s, fist bumps, handshake… but a hug? I wouldn’t even think of trying to hug someone I don’t know. The hug-dude was in the wrong -not Tim Howard.
@ Mexican Standoff – uhhhh, the MLS already regularly posts better attendance numbers than the NHL and NBA. So yeah, I think people will continue to seek the game out, just like after the 2010 World Cup.
“No one gives a shit about shitty Tim Howard and his shitty sport for shits. That’s why he should love us as we deserve.”
uh
Alienating over-entitled US fans will really hurt Tim Howard when he heads back to England and his $3 million salary from Everton.
” I signed up to put my face in front of balls” Hmmmmmmm?
that signed jersey is gonna fetch a modest price on ebay. hope he acts fast as relevancy is fading.
Tim Howard is a big star in England and is a well-known player in other European countries. He was plenty relevant before this year’s World Cup and will continue to be for the years to come.
Tim Howard was famous long before this year’s World Cup, don’t be a moron
Were you in America in 2010? How did you not hear his name?
Who was that guy and why was Howard expected to hug him?
Point of order: heroes are the ones that don’t get knocked out, but win championships.
This country’s gone to shit.
Now, get off my lawn.
I’ll see myself out.
Good for him. Only assholes go hug strangers without premission
Agreed. Bro hugging should be reserve only for your actual bros(if you have to bro hug at all)
It was a bad PR move for him to humiliate a perhaps over-enthusiastic, but well-meaning, fan like that.
My parents come from a “huggy” culture, and this fan may come from a huggy culture as well. To call the fan an asshole is presumptuous.
If Tim Howard were more PR-savvy, he would have let the fan save face by saying something like, “I may be coming down with something, so it’s best to keep your distance.” Or he would have arranged for some people to shield him from the cameras and fans and be the “bad guys” to fans.
That’s not to say that Tim Howard necessarily cares about PR. He makes more than enough money and may not want the burdens that come with endorsements and greater public exposure.
Bad business move by Tim Howard. Most endorsement contracts require you to do meet-and-greets with fans where you’re expected to tolerate hugs from random people. I’m in marketing, and I’d hesitate to sign up someone who rejects fans in front of cameras, even though he’s well within his rights to do so.
At the same time, Howard may not be interested in endorsements. He makes $2.6 million a year. It’ s not like he needs the extra money, so he may not be willing to make the trade-offs that come with endorsements.
“I’m in marketing.” No offense, but that’s pretty clear. He was fine in this video. Exhausted, just off the plane. Signed a guy’s jacket. This was not a marketing meet and greet. It was an actual, tired person being gracious. No one expects a man to tolerate a hug from a stranger in an uncontrolled situation.