Over the years, Clint Dempsey has changed many people's opinions about American players with his goals and his talent. But who knew his skills once so demoralized a young player that the player gave up his dreams of being a pro soccer player and instead decided to become a place kicker?
In an interview with NBC's ProSoccerTalk, new Fulham owner Shahid Khan – who also owns the NFL's Jacksonville Jaguars – relates a story about the Jags' kicker, Josh Scobee, who grew up in Longview, Texas, about an hour north of Dempsey's hometown, Nacogdoches.
"[Scobee] told me he gave up his hopes of professional soccer once he played with Clint," Khan says. "He thought he couldn’t make it, so he figured he’d better get good at kicking a ball for football."
