Tim Howard, the U.S. men's national soccer team’s star goalie, has signed a multi-year contract with NBC Sports to be a commentator for 10 Barclays Premier League matches, but he'll still continue his goalkeeping duties for Everton FC, too.
"When you get to the level that I'm at, the Premier League and the national team, you've almost in a sense mastered the game, certainly the
knowledge of the game," said Howard, 35, USA Today reported.
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"On the surface, it seems so easy,” he continued. “Then you get in the booth and your knees start to tremble and you're not really sure why. It is very, very difficult. It takes such skill. As a player, you know the game. But to apply that and do it in the right way is very, very hard. I'm certainly nowhere near perfect yet."
Before joining Everton in 2006, Howard played for Manchester United. He was a guest commentator for seven games NBC carried last season. The New Jersey native believes he will continue to call the games as he sees them, which is required of an unbiased color analyst.
"I was taught early on to call what I see," he told reporters, USA Today said. "That part comes fairly simple to me. One team is attacking and one team's defending and you basically call the play as you see it. Where I have an advantage is I have inside information. I know what players like to do. I see that every day. I play against these guys. I know their tendencies. I try to use that to my advantage. In terms of being unbiased, that part's simple. I was taught from day one to be honest and call exactly what I see."
“Tim had an impressive debut on our telecasts last season and we are excited to have him join our Premier League team on a more extensive basis,” said Pierre Moossa, coordinating producer of NBC Sports Group’s Premier League coverage, in a news release. “As an active Premier League player, he contributes unique perspective and insight to our broadcasts.”
Howard’s popularity has taken off since the U.S. team played in this year’s World Cup in Brazil, ultimately losing to Belgium in a game where he made a record-setting 16 saves. He has gained additional attention in the past few years after revealing his has Tourette’s syndrome.
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