Tim Howard, the goalkeeper of the U.S. national team, is famously known today for his solid performance during this year’s World Cup (including his sixteen saves in one game); but what is not so known about him is that he is also a solid Christian.
Howard confessed in an article from Athletes in Action, a sports ministry organization, that although he has faced many difficulties in his life, including Tourette’s syndrome, he finds his ultimate peace in Christ.
Tourette’s syndrome is a “neurological disorder characterized by physical and verbal tics.” As a result, he said that he “did not experience a lot of peace.” But his grandmother gave him a peace that he can always count on – peace from the Lord.
“Through her, God revealed His love for me as well. It wasn’t long before I was following in her footsteps. I wanted the same kind of faith and peace she had, and that is exactly what God gave me,” Howard said.
Despite the fact that Tourette’s brought him much ridicule from the public in the past, today, Howard is active in encouraging those with Tourette’s syndrome as he shares his own experiences.
“One of the biggest things I can do [for Tourette’s awareness] is be in the public eye. I’m on television, ticcing and twitching. I think that’s kind of cool,” quoted Washington Post.
Howard’s confidence despite this neurological condition is likely from the peace that he has in Christ. He expresses his confidence in that peace to Athletes in Action: “Today, I am blessed to be living a dream. And yet, if it all went away tomorrow, I know I would still have peace. That probably sounds crazy to most people, but that’s the kind of peace Christ gives. It is rooted in His love, and it surpasses all understanding."
When Howard started stepping more and more into the spotlight and gaining public attention, he made a decision “to give credit to the Creator,” according to an article from Cru, a campus ministry organization.
His heart to live for Christ was evident in his actions and words. While his fame was increasing as he played league soccer in England, Howard often played soccer with the youth at his church, the Bramhall Baptist Church.
“The best time for me is when I see a breakthrough in them. To see them get a grasp of what God and Christ really mean,” he explained while talking about his youth kids.
When the kids asked him difficult questions about giving up goals and not being picked as the starting goalkeeper, Howard responded,
“The most important thing in my life is Christ. He’s more important to me than winning or losing or whether I’m playing or not. Everything else is just a bonus.”
