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Tim Howard

by Nicholas Page from San Diego , California in United States

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Tim Howard

Photo by Nathan Forget - USA - Honduras

5Uploaded by Yoda1893, CC BY 2.0,

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The Hero For All That Twitch

When Tim Howard was 10, the twitching began. Tim Howard is a goalkeeper for the elite soccer club, Everton.  Tim is a world class soccer player who is also part of the United States international team, who happens to have Tourette's Syndrome. Tim recalls, “On the soccer field, though, my whole world changed. While the ball was far away, my mind might still order me around (touch the ground, twitch, snap the Velcro on the goalie glove, cough, touch the goalpost, blink). But the closer that ball came, the more my symptoms receded” (Howard, Tim). To Tim, the most popular sport in the world was an escape from his Tourette's. Soccer was a distraction that kept him from focusing on the thing that was different between him and others. Then when he was 11 he developed the need to touch people before he talked to them. Or the words literally wouldn't come out (Howard, Tim). This awkward habit greatly affected his life and he began to look for answers. “The doctor put words to my symptoms. I had obsessive compulsive disorder, or OCD, and Tourette's Syndrome” (staff, NJCTS). Tim finally found answers but his diagnosis  did not stop him from persevering and becoming an incredible goalkeeper. “Howard, only the sixth American in England's elite Premier League, was the first Yank at "ManU," (Tim Howard,2004).” Finally, Howard's hard work and dedication paid off and he made the Manchester United team a top tier club. “At the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, Howard broke a competition record”("Tim Howard", 2004 ). Tim Howard truly became famous during the world cup when he played a superbe tournament that broke many records. In order to be a hero you must not only be determined you must be selfless. Tim Howard possesses determination and selflessness that has helped to role model for children who suffer from Tourettes; therefore, he is a hero.

Part of the reason why Tim Howard is someone to look up to is because of his determination. In order to play for a club with 659 million supporters, you must be the best of the best. Tim Howard was ready for the challenge. “He embraced one of the most intense challenges in sports when he signed with England's fabled Manchester United” ("Tim Howard", 2004). Tim Howard deserves hero status because he was determined to go through all the hardships he faced to play for the most prestigious soccer club in the world. His disabilities never fazed him when he was working his way to the top. Especially when signing with a team such as Manchester United who have won the treble. The treble is when a team wins Champions League, FA cup, and  Premier League in one season. In addition to his team practice Tim trained with a coach from a local powerhouse college who pushed him to his limits and transformed him from an average keeper to a extraordinary one. “Tim trained with Coach Mulch week after week. He taught Tim how to think like a goalie… Some practices were so intense that kids were left vomiting on the field (Zuckerman, Gregory). Tim Howard was so determined to be the best keeper he could be that he was willing to go through physical and emotional pain. He came back week after week with a smile on his face putting in the effort and perseverance needed to be one of the best keepers ever. Altogether, Tim Howard, is a hero to many due to the fact that he was willing to work hard to achieve his goals.

Last and most importantly Tim Howard is a hero because he had the courage to share his struggles with the world. When Tim Howard first signed with Manchester United he let people know that he had Tourette's and the press responded terribly. “United Want American with Brain Disorder” “a headline in the Guardian, a popular British newspaper.” “Manchester United to sign ‘Disabled’ Goalkeeper” is how the Independent another well known paper, covered the story” (Zuckerman, Gregory ). Even though Tim Howard was hammered by the press he still had the courage to come out about the fact that he had Tourette's this inspire others and let them know that their differences didn't need to define them and was truly a gift, not a curse. He also did this to let kids know the fact that they didn't have to hide that they have Tourette's or OCD. Another time, Howard helped others was when he helped created his leadership program. “Created in 2014 in partnership with legendary goalkeeper and TS advocate Tim Howard, currently of the Colorado Rapids, the Academy is the only leadership program for teens diagnosed with TS in the nation” (staff, NJCTS ).Tim Howard used the power of speech and his popularity through soccer to help children just like him. He wanted a better future for people with Tourette's because he knew the struggle and faced these challenges first hand so he  did not want others to face the same challenges. Some think Tim Howard is a hero because of his bravery to be honest about his own struggles.

Tim Howard possesses determination and courage that has helped to improve the lives of children who suffer from Tourette's; therefore, he is a hero.  Many people tic but not a lot of them are open about them. “Tourette Syndrome (TS) is a neurological disorder characterized by uncontrollable movements and vocalizations known as tics. As many as 1 in 100 people show signs of a tic disorder like TS, which is frequently accompanied by mental health disorders including ADHD, OCD, and anxiety” (staff, NJCTS ). Although 1 in every 100 people show signs of tics not vary many pro athletes are open about them and hide them so they can’t be made fun of for them. However Tim Howard owns them and is open about them.  In doing this Tim Howard shows great signs of courage. Tim Howard is a hero because he trained every week and kept putting forth effort even after he made Manchester United one of the best clubs ever. Tim Howard was one of the first Americans to play for Manchester United and he let people know that Americans are as good as Europeans at soccer. Tim Howard is living proof that hard work pays off. Mostly the reason Tim Howard is truly a hero is because I have Tourette's too and he is proof that Tourette's should not limit you. Tim will always twitch but nothing will ever stop him from inspiring others.



Works Cited

"Tim Howard." Gale Biography in Context, Gale, 2004. Biography In Context,

https://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/K1650004155/BIC?u=powa9245&sid=BIC&xid=e698457f. Accessed 14 Jan. 2019.

staff, NJCTS. “Soccer Superstar Tim Howard

Surprises Leadership Academy with Live Chat.” TS Parents Online,

8 Aug. 2018,

njcts.org/soccer-superstar-tim-howard-surprises-leadership-academy-with-live-chat/.

 

Howard, Tim. “Tim Howard: Growing up with Tourette Syndrome and My Love of Football.” The Guardian, Guardian News and Media, 6 Dec. 2014,

www.theguardian.com/football/2014/dec/06/everton-tim-howard-goalkeeper-tourette-syndrome-ocd-autobiography-the-keeper.

Zuckerman, Gregory. Rising Above How 11 Athletes Overcame Challenges in Their Youth to Become Stars. Turtleback Books, 2017.

Page created on 1/31/2019 3:25:28 AM

Last edited 2/2/2019 7:23:39 PM

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