Fans Want Tim Howard to Be Secretary of Defense

3 minute read

Tim Howard’s newfound stardom has made it all the way to the White House.

Fans of the Team USA goalkeeper started a White House petition Tuesday night to rename the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport after Howard, and a second petitionwas created to name him Secretary of Defense.

After recording a World Cup-record 16 saves during an incredible 2-1 loss to Belgium on Tuesday, Howard quickly became something of an American hero.

“Whereas Tim Howard has shown himself to be a national treasure, Minister of Defense, Friend of Joe Biden, and the holder for the record of most saves in a World Cup match,” the petition states. “Therefore, we politely request that we rename the airport to recognize his accomplishments, and meritorious service to the United States of America.”

Anyone can post a petition on the White House website under its “We the People” initiative started in 2011. The Obama Administration says any petition that reaches 100,000 signatures will trigger a formal response. The petition to rename Reagan airport had more than 7,000 signatures by Wednesday afternoon. It has until July 31 to get the necessary signatures for a response.

The second petition about Howard asks for him to receive a spot in the White House Cabinet.

“We, the undersigned, hereby petition for the appointment of Timothy Matthew “Tim” Howard, Goalkeeper and MVP of the USMNT, king of the Andals, the Rhoynar and the First Men, to the office of U.S. Secretary of Defense for acts of valor and general badassery during the 2014 World Cup,” it reads.

That petition had 430 signatures as of Wednesday afternoon.

When asked about the petition on Wednesday afternoon, White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest joked that Howard would not be joining the Obama Administration in the near future. “I don’t have any personnel announcements to make,” Earnest said.

Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel jumped in late Wednesday afternoon when the Department of Defense tweeted a photo of him holding a soccer ball. The tweet said: “From 1 SecDef to another: Hagel calls @timhowardgk to say thanks for defending USA. We (USA) are proud of @ussoccer!”

Late Wednesday, Pentagon Press Secretary Rear Adm. John Kirby released a statement saying that Hagel congratulated Howard “on his record-breaking game and a great run in Brazil.” The Secretary of Defense invited Howard and the entire U.S. men’s national soccer team to come to the Pentagon later this year. He told Howard that with some training, he could someday become the real Secretary of Defense.

U.S. Goalie Tim Howard's Heroic Effort in the World Cup

Goalkeeper Tim Howard of the USA saves a shot by Divock Origi of Belgium as Omar Gonzalez of the USA looks on during the national anthems prior the FIFA World Cup 2014 round of 16 match between Belgium and the USA at the Arena Fonte Nova in Salvador, Brazil on July 1, 2014.
Goalkeeper Tim Howard of the USA saves a shot during the FIFA World Cup 2014 round of 16 match between Belgium and the USA at the Arena Fonte Nova in Salvador, Brazil on July 1, 2014. Ali Haider—EPA
Goalkeeper Tim Howard of the U.S. eyes the ball after a save from Belgium's Kevin Mirallas during their 2014 World Cup round of 16 game at the Fonte Nova arena in Salvador, Brazil on July 1, 2014.
Tim Howard of the United States reacts during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Round of 16 match between Belgium and the United States at Arena Fonte Nova on July 1, 2014 in Salvador, Brazil. Sergio Moraes—Reuters
Goalkeeper Tim Howard of the U.S. blocks a shot by Belgium's Kevin Mirallas during their 2014 World Cup round of 16 game at the Fonte Nova arena in Salvador, Brazil on July 1, 2014.
Tim Howard of the United States reacts during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Round of 16 match between Belgium and the United States at Arena Fonte Nova on July 1, 2014 in Salvador, Brazil. Ruben Sprich—Reuters
Goalkeeper Tim Howard of the USA (R) makes a save during a cooling break during the FIFA World Cup 2014 round of 16 match between Belgium and the USA at the Arena Fonte Nova in Salvador, Brazil on July 1, 2014.
Tim Howard reacts during the FIFA World Cup 2014 round of 16 match between Belgium and the USA at the Arena Fonte Nova in Salvador, Brazil on July 1, 2014.Ali Haider—EPA
Tim Howard of the United States makes a save during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Round of 16 match between Belgium and the United States at Arena Fonte Nova on July 1, 2014 in Salvador, Brazil.
Tim Howard reacts during the FIFA World Cup 2014 round of 16 match between Belgium and the USA at the Arena Fonte Nova in Salvador, Brazil on July 1, 2014.Laurence Griffiths—Getty Images
Tim Howard of the United States reacts during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Round of 16 match between Belgium and the United States at Arena Fonte Nova on July 1, 2014 in Salvador, Brazil.
Tim Howard reacts during the FIFA World Cup 2014 round of 16 match between Belgium and the USA at the Arena Fonte Nova in Salvador, Brazil on July 1, 2014.Jamie McDonald—Getty Images
United States goalkeeper Tim Howard deflects a ball during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Belgium and the USA at the Arena Fonte Nova in Salvador, Brazil on July 1, 2014.
Tim Howard reacts during the FIFA World Cup 2014 round of 16 match between Belgium and the USA at the Arena Fonte Nova in Salvador, Brazil on July 1, 2014.Themba Hadebe—AP
United States' Omar Gonzalez (3) tries to defend as Belgium's Jan Vertonghen gets a shot on United States' goalkeeper Tim Howard during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Belgium and the USA at the Arena Fonte Nova in Salvador, Brazil, Tuesday, July 1, 2014.
Tim Howard reacts during the FIFA World Cup 2014 round of 16 match between Belgium and the USA at the Arena Fonte Nova in Salvador, Brazil on July 1, 2014.Marcio Jose Sanchez—AP
Goalkeeper Tim Howard of the U.S. saves a shot during their 2014 World Cup round of 16 game against Belgium at the Fonte Nova arena in Salvador, Brazil on July 1, 2014.
Tim Howard reacts during the FIFA World Cup 2014 round of 16 match between Belgium and the USA at the Arena Fonte Nova in Salvador, Brazil on July 1, 2014.Ruben Sprich—Reuters
USA's goalkeeper Tim Howard reacts as Belgium's players celebrate their goal during the FIFA World Cup 2014 round of 16 match between Belgium and the USA at the Arena Fonte Nova in Salvador, Brazil on July 1, 2014.
Tim Howard reacts during the FIFA World Cup 2014 round of 16 match between Belgium and the USA at the Arena Fonte Nova in Salvador, Brazil on July 1, 2014.Natacha Pisarenko—AP
Tim Howard reacts as during the FIFA World Cup 2014 round of 16 match between Belgium and the USA at the Arena Fonte Nova in Salvador, Brazil on July 1, 2014.
Tim Howard reacts during the FIFA World Cup 2014 round of 16 match between Belgium and the USA at the Arena Fonte Nova in Salvador, Brazil on July 1, 2014.Themba Hadebe—AP
USA's goalkeeper Tim Howard reacts as Belgium's players celebrate their goal during the FIFA World Cup 2014 round of 16 match between Belgium and the USA at the Arena Fonte Nova in Salvador, Brazil on July 1, 2014.
Tim Howard reacts during the FIFA World Cup 2014 round of 16 match between Belgium and the USA at the Arena Fonte Nova in Salvador, Brazil on July 1, 2014.Ali Haider—EPA
Tim Howard of the United States reacts during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Round of 16 match between Belgium and the United States at Arena Fonte Nova on July 1, 2014 in Salvador, Brazil.
Tim Howard reacts during the FIFA World Cup 2014 round of 16 match between Belgium and the USA at the Arena Fonte Nova in Salvador, Brazil on July 1, 2014.Jamie McDonald—Getty Images
USA's goalkeeper Tim Howard reacts as Belgium's players celebrate their goal during the FIFA World Cup 2014 round of 16 match between Belgium and the USA at the Arena Fonte Nova in Salvador, Brazil on July 1, 2014.
Tim Howard reacts as Belgium's players celebrate their goal during the match between Belgium and the USA at the Arena Fonte Nova in Salvador, Brazil on July 1, 2014. Guillaume Horcajuelo—EPA

More Must-Reads from TIME

Contact us at letters@time.com