By Steve Cofield
The fans in Nashville were thrilled to see the UFC roll into town. It was the first big MMA show held on Tennessee soil. One woman walked around clutching a UFC t-shirt with autographs from some of the stars. Meanwhile, some big guy walked up to Forrest Griffin in the UFC's workout area and sheepishly asked for a photo. But it wasn't some shy dude who wished he could be a bigtime athlete like the former light heavyweight champ, it was actually a multi-milliion dollar earning European superstar.
The U.S. Soccer team was in town for another World Cup qualifier and "the fan" who gingerly approached Griffin was the team's keeper Tim Howard. Howard, 30, plays for Everton F.C. in the Premier League and was the first and only American keeper to ever play for soccer's best known club Manchester United:
"In Europe I get that a lot. People stop me and ask me for autographs so I kind of feel bad when I have to stop and ask an athlete for a picture or just to say hello," Howard told Cage Writer. "But they've been nothing but accomodating and they all seem to be humble and respectful."
