10 Reasons Tim Howard Fever Is Here to Stay

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Tim Howard, the chrome-domed and bearded goalkeeper whose leaps, punches, and grabs electrified soccer observers throughout the World Cup, is headed home from Brazil. The United States lost 2-1 to Belgium on Tuesday night, ending an at-times spotty but always exciting run, throughout which Howard emerged as the most popular U.S. player. His 16 saves in Tuesday’s game were the most in recorded World Cup history.

While other U.S. players offered flashes of brilliance (Clint Dempsey stunned, even while playing with a broken nose), the Cup—as far as America is concerned—belongs to Howard. So whether you’re a late-blooming Howard fan or simply in need of another chance to celebrate him, let the below memes and bits of trivia be your guide.

His yearbook quote, a reference to Public Enemy’s landmark 1988 album, is as inspiring as you’d expect:

Tim Howard's yearbook quote: "It will take a nation of millions to hold me back." pic.twitter.com/4JFaCOLfN8

— Meredith Frost (@MeredithFrost) July 2, 2014

Howard plays for Everton, a team in England’s Premier League.

.@TimHowardGK #ForClubAndCountry #LetsDoThis #IBelieve #efcFABRIC #EFCUSA #USMNT #COYB @Everton @ussoccer @EvertonUSA pic.twitter.com/AdYbLZgntd

— SoCalEverTimHoward (@SoCalEverton) June 25, 2014

He once scored for Everton from inside his own penalty area, on the opposite site of the field. He was the fourth goalkeeper in Premier League history to notch a goal.

The feat was so impressive, it earned Howard his very own Taiwanese animation.

[#video: https://www.youtube.com/embed/NnBF539BNbY]||||||

Fans want him to run for president.

Tim Howard for President and his beard for VP #USMNT #USAvsBEL

— CollegeTownLife (@CollegeTownLife) July 1, 2014__ Too bad we lost, but TIM HOWARD FOR PRESIDENT. http://t.co/w4DDa7x9Al #USAvsBEL pic.twitter.com/3wc7g2vygx

— Bustle (@bustle) July 1, 2014__

Howard himself seems ready for a White House run. Here is he pictured with Vice President Joe Biden.

Biden/Howard 2016, the dream ticket!! Lol pic.twitter.com/Kyed8WwdfX

— tim howard (@TimHowardGK) June 18, 2014

Howard has Tourette’s syndrome, and has spoken openly and inspiringly about how he handles muscle tics during a game. “As soon as things get serious in front of the goal, I don't have any twitches; my muscles obey me then . . . I have no idea. Not even the doctors can explain it to me. It's probably because at that moment my concentration on the game is stronger than the Tourette syndrome.”

ICYMI: Here are all 16 of Tim Howard's saves from yesterday's #USMNT match vs. Belgium. » http://t.co/ss59Bdzx9N pic.twitter.com/Z9vZ8ztCL5

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) July 2, 2014

This is what he looks like in Nike’s animated series. Note the missing beard.

RT if you're @Everton blood & backing @TimHowardGK's #USA to beat Belgium this evening? USA-USA-USA! #PowerOfTheBeard pic.twitter.com/i06ueFDG8r

— J0hn Davi3s (@J0hnDavi3s) July 1, 2014



After Tuesday’s game, #ThingsTimHowardCouldSave trended on Twitter. Fans got pretty creative, as you can see.

__#ThingsTimHowardCouldSave pic.twitter.com/KlVbXGmQ1o

— BBC Sporf (@BBCSporf) July 2, 2014

#ThingsTimHowardCouldSave The Dinosaurs pic.twitter.com/mbFXRclomR

— Melinda (@MuhlinduhhMarie) July 2, 2014

#ThingsTimHowardCouldSave pic.twitter.com/ghmI8gkgvQ

— Matty Towers (@MTowers95) July 2, 2014

What’s next for Howard? “I’m going to go home, I’m going to relax, and hide away. Hide out with the kids, get some more tattoos. You know, just be me.”__

What's next for Team #USA goalie Tim Howard? He tells @ChrisCuomo what he'll be up to: http://t.co/PzsvgPBgmj https://t.co/rRSsGptj0Q

— CNN (@CNN) July 2, 2014

You be you, Tim Howard.