Tim Howard will join NBC’s Premier League on-air team it was announced today. The United States national hero of the summer will work up to 10 Premier League games this season, serving as game analyst in the booth or in an on-site studio for the pre-game, halftime and post-game shows.
His assignments will be scheduled around Everton matches and will focus on top-tier games. That means he’ll call the ones with big clubs: Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur etc.
If it seems a bit questionable to you, the idea of an active player calling and analyzing games of his rival clubs during a season in which he is active, I understand. And I totally agree. I was going to ask Howard about how he will remain unbiased when he met the media for a conference call today. However another reporter beat me to it.
Here’s the transcript.
“Tim – how do you keep yourself unbiased? For example, when you are co-commentating a Liverpool game, or a game featuring one of your rivals.”
Tim Howard: “I think I was taught early on to call what I see, and that part becomes fairly simple to me. One team is attacking and the other is defending and you typically call the players you see, whereas I have an advantage, because I have inside information. I know what players like to do because I see that every day – I play against these guys, so I know their tendencies. That’s where I try and use that to my advantage. But, in terms of being unbiased, that part is simple. I was taught from day one, be honest and call exactly what I see, and that part seems pretty simple to me.”
Howard served as a NBCSN analyst on six game telecasts and one on-site studio last season.
In the recently concluded World Cup, Howard recorded 16 saves in the U.S. team’s 2-1 loss to Belgium in the Round of 16 – the most saves in a World Cup match since 1966. Tim Howard bought a house in Manchester when he began his Premier League career 11 years ago.
He failed to secure the #1 role, and during 2004-05 he fell out of favor. However, David Moyes took a liking to his talents and he then went on loan to Everton for 2006-07. And with the Toffees he found his new home and his groove. And he’s only getting better, like a fine wine, he’s getting much better with age.
On the same conference call, I asked about his insights into the big clubs in the north, the two teams in Manchester and Liverpool as well. Here’s what he said:
Tim Howard: “Like I said, I’ve been around the league for over a decade now, this is my 12th season, and I know the players inside and out, the stadiums inside and out, the teams, the coaches. So again, I’m fortunate and when it comes to the big clashes at the top of the table, your traditional Man City, Man United, Chelsea, Liverpool, those are the fun games to call.
“Those are the easy games, because the football just takes care of itself, it’s majestic. You have the best players on show, big games and nerves, so I can try and talk to what it’s like being in the tunnel before you come out. You’ve maybe played a relegation battle team the week before and then you have to get up for this top of the table clash this week. Those are all insights that I have that I try to apply. In terms of being at Manchester United, yes, there’s a lot of it that I can speak to. Clearly after that last 12, 18 months, there has been a lot of change and turnover, but there is a certain mystique and aura about that club that I have insight into.”
Paul M. Banks owns The Sports Bank.net, an affiliate of Fox Sports and Yahoo! He’s been a guest on news talk shows all across the world. He’s also a special contributor to the Chicago Tribune RedEye edition. Banks has been featured in numerous media outlets including NFL.com, Forbes, Bleacher Report, Deadspin, ESPN, NBC, CBS, the History Channel and more. Follow him on Twitter (@paulmbanks)