Tim Howard may have taken a call from President Barack Obama after the USA's World Cup exit but the Everton keeper insists it was just another day at the office.
America embraced football fever as fans decked out in red, white and blue flocked to stadiums and giant TV screens on Tuesday to see their team knocked out in the last-16 by Belgium.
Howard was the hero of the hour despite the 2-1 defeat after extra time, making 15 saves – the most ever recorded in a World Cup game.
President Obama dialled into the USA changing room to offer his support after the loss and also congratulated the 35-year-old on a job well done.
But while Howard admits he has been overwhelmed by the support, he says he can't wait to get back to life in the Premier League.
"It won't change my life, this is what I do, I get in the way of balls and try and block them and I'll head over to England and get back to work," he said.
"It's been a good season for me for my club, so I just tried to carry that over on the training field and usually you get your luck.
"We gave as good as we got against Belgium and that's something that's not always been done, particularly at this level.
"We hope this changes USA soccer forever, it looks like it might with the reaction we've got. We hope the momentum we and the fans created over the last month can be sustained, because it's been amazing. We've come a pretty long way.
"I think each and every one of us were able to give ourselves a pat on the back, we gave it everything we had. On certain occasions you lose those games."
President Obama made the call after strong performances by the American team in Brazil had ignited passions in a country not known for its love of soccer.
As well as Howard, he also spoke to former Fulham and Tottenham forward Clint Dempsey and said their efforts were not in vain.
"I just wanted to call to say you did us proud," said President Obama. "You guys did great. There's someone here who's first sport was soccer although I was never that good.
"To see the way you guys captured the hearts and imaginations of the whole country is unbelievable and obviously the way the sport has been growing steadily because kids have been playing it at a young age, but this is the first time you have had an entire country focused.
"Clint you were fantastic and Tim I don't know how you are going to survive the mobs when you come back home. You are going to have to shave your beard so they don't know who you are.
"You guys did us all proud not just by how hard you played and how well you did; you guys just carried yourselves with a lot of class. It makes people really respect the sport and you guys are really great models for a lot of sportsmen here in the states.
"I know it is disappointing but what you guys accomplished is really, really significant and it will make a difference to the country so congratulate coach."
