Exclusive Q&A with ‘Tubthumping’ Tommy Heinemann
Photo credit: Tommy Heinemann
Tommy Heinemann has endured a difficult year. From the highs of winning the NASL and signing a contract with FC Cincinnati, to the lows of the events of early January and beyond. On Nov. 15, Heinemann’s agent, PJ Savage, confirmed via Twitter that Heinemann won his arbitration case against FC Cincinnati. Through all of it — and in the face of unfair criticism from a small section of the FC Cincinnati community — Heinemann chose to maintain his silence.
But, he deserves to have a voice now.
In an exclusive interview with Soc Takes, Heinemann discussed the events and the aftermath of his exit from FC Cincinnati. While he was noticeably reticent to discuss details about remediation, Heinemann discussed the controversy surrounding the injury.
Soc Takes has previously discussed the merits of Heinemann’s claim, and it should be noted that both the USL as well as the arbiter voted in Heinemann’s favor.
Heinemann’s faith and family are the core around which he has built his Tubthumping-esque approach to life. Most of all, Tommy reminds us that there is a person (and a family) behind a number.
And that you truly cannot keep a good man down.
Nipun Chopra: How are you feeling now that this ordeal is over?
Tommy Heinemann: I’m very grateful for a number of reasons. First of all, that I serve a faithful God. Secondly, that I have a loving wife and family that stands by me in every single moment. Thirdly, I have a loyal agent and friends across the soccer community who have stood by me. To be able to have this outcome of the arbitrator holding up my contract is something that I trusted God would happen the entire time. It wasn’t easy though, it’s been a difficult 11 months. Sometimes people were flinging all types of things at me. I tried to walk the line — I don’t bash other people — but i must stand for the truth. The truth shines through and that’s the most rewarding thing.
NC: Your religious faith has been very important to you. Tell us why.
TH: I gave my life to Christ when I was 8 years old. It wasn’t until I was in middle school that I started understanding that to proclaim to know God, I was called to walk and talk in the manner He calls me to. I was cut by both my club team and my varsity high school soccer team. In 2004, my junior year of high school, I had my first ACL surgery and missed my senior year of high school. I desperately wanted to play soccer, and through prayer and trust in God, I felt God leading me to Rockhurst University where I walked on. My first year, I was just happy to earn the opportunity to wear the jersey. My first game at Rockhurst I started on the bench, but came in and scored two goals and an assist. I started every game except one my freshman year and eventually, I joined a PDL team in St. Louis, the St. Louis Lions. I scored eight goals in my first eight games, and tore my ACL again in 2006. By the grace of God, I rehabbed and became a two-time All-American at Rockhurst and completed two more years with the St. Louis Lions finishing with 35 goals in 36 games. Through these trialing experiences God taught me first-hand about His faithfulness. He taught me that He is sovereign, and no matter the circumstance, He is in control and to trust in Him. Throughout my entire career, His faithfulness is evident and it’s only by his grace that I am able to play the game I love. That’s why it is so important to me.
NC: Was that injury your last knee surgery?
TH: My last knee surgery was in 2012. It was a microfracture surgery. My last ACL surgery was in 2006.
NC: Going back to your faith, how does one have all these horrendous injuries, and still manage to retain their faith?
TH: Inevitable, we are human and doubt does creep in and present itself, but God’s word never returns void. It’s difficult at times to trust, but I have to daily depend on God for physical strength, emotional strength and spiritual strength. It’s a big part of me as a person.
NC: Can you summarize the events that lead to your exit from the club?
TH: I signed a contract with FC Cincinnati on Nov. 20, 2017. My contract became effective on Jan. 1, 2018. I arrived in Cincinnati on Jan. 5 with my wife and 3-year-old son. We signed a 12-month lease on Jan. 13 and I reported to the first day of preseason on Jan. 15. On Jan. 16, I went through a very rigorous physical examination. The first day of training was on Jan. 17, in which I trained and felt great. On Jan. 18, I was told by the club that I had a 95 percent torn ACL. I found this most disturbing and surprising, as my knee felt fine. In seeking my own medical opinion from Dr. Michael Burns in St. Louis, he found my knee to be stable and did not see any problems precluding me from playing. After returning to Cincinnati, the club asked me to accept only a portion of the guaranteed money of my contract, with the other portion conditioned upon the health of my knee and hips. I declined this offer and subsequently received a motion to void my contract from the club on Jan. 30, 2018.
NC: Were you injured at the time of termination of your contract?
TH: No, I was not injured. I was fit, healthy and ready to play. I trained with FC Cincinnati on Jan. 17 and was prepared to continue training.
NC: What was the remedial ruling?
TH: The arbiter ruled to uphold my contract.
NC: Does that mean they are required to pay your contract in its entirety?
TH: For 2018, they upheld my contract.
NC: What about paying your legal fees?
TH: They upheld the contract.
NC: Is this the final step to the best of your understanding?
TH: Yes.
NC: Do you think FCC is going to appeal this decision?
TH: No. (Note: An FC Cincinnati spokesperson confirmed via email that they would not seek further legal options.)
NC: Why did FCC think they would win?
TH: Good question and one I’ve been trying to figure out for some time now. There was an exit physical I had at San Francisco, where the doctor cited a sore groin from the championship game, which was 24 hours before the exit physical. I believe they thought they could use this to get out of the contract.
NC: Have you had any contact with FCC personnel since this came out?
TH: Other than at the arbitration, the last time I spoke to someone at the club was Jan. 30, 2018.
NC: What would you say to those who cite your limited appearances with Penn FC as evidence that you were carrying an injury?
TH: I would encourage those people to get the correct information before they comment. The injuries I incurred after leaving Cincinnati are not relevant to my time in Cincinnati, but rather a normal part of sports. I missed time in 2018 for a few reasons. I sprained my ankle during the first few minutes of one match. I also missed time due to a strained hamstring. I had to miss more time with Penn FC for a few personal reasons, including traveling multiple times for both a deposition and the arbitration hearings which contractually had to be held in Cincinnati. Most importantly, I did not miss a single game due to my knee.
NC: How has this been for your family?
TH: I don’t know if there’s a word that can explain how difficult it’s been. Katrina and I signed for San Francisco Deltas, we had a great year and won a championship. It was an extremely memorable year. Eight days after the season ended, we signed a contract, uprooted our lives, and moved to a new city (Cincinnati). We signed a new lease and we were prepared to be there for a while.
Two weeks later, we were blindsided. Look, we know this is professional sports, so this is the reality. But, it’s been a difficult year. It’s one that I couldn’t have got through without my wife Katrina. She’s my angel, to steady me, to keep me calm, to keep me composed. Our little guy Hudson has been a healthy distraction.
NC: How old is Hudson?
Photo credit: Tommy Heinemann
TH: He’s three-and-a-half.
NC: How much does Hudson understand about what his father does?
TH: This year more than ever, he knows about what his dad does. Almost every day, he wants to put on the jersey and run around the house. He’s all left-footed (laughs). He loves watching and playing. After every game he asks me, “Papa, will you play with me?”
NC: And does he have a full-beard yet?
TH: (laughs) No, but he does have a lot of hair.
NC: What about your wife? Have the events of this year jaded her from the life of professional soccer?
TH: Here’s the incredible thing — even after all this, she wants me to do what makes me happy. She is the most supportive, most incredible person I know.
NC: You’ve had a lot of support from other professional players as well as the MLS Players Union. What’s that been like?
TH: It’s meant the world. Players more than anyone understand. They have been there, experienced or seen similar things and — especially those with families — they know. Players know what it’s like to play in the lower divisions of U.S. Soccer, to fight, to grind. Guys who have been vocal, and others who have sent me messages, or talked to me in person. The support of the players across the country means the world.
The MLSPA’s support of me, and all players, is absolutely incredible. They deal with the protection of players, so they understand that us players are more than numbers on a board. We are people with families. Their support has meant a lot to my family and I.
NC: What’s the next step for you with Penn FC dropping down to Division III?
TH: It’s a fluid situation; which I’ve become accustomed to (laughs). I’m still working through it.
NC: Will we see you playing next year?
TH: I want to play as long as I can, but I know I can’t play forever. That said, I’m very passionate about coaching, leading and impacting as well. I’ve wanted to become a coach since I was 24. I’ve been preparing for that too.
NC: If this is the end of your career, how will you remember your career?
TH: I will remember God’s continuous faithfulness. I was a kid who was cut from high school, walked on in college. And everything I have is by the grace of God. Everyday I lace up my boots is from the grace of God. Whether the circumstances were excellent or poor, the tide was high or low, my foundation is in Christ and I will always remember His strength in my weakness. A part of each championship, every friendship with teammates and coaches, all the time spent training and preparing, every good time and bad time, God’s faithfulness is what I will always remember above all.
Note: FC Cincinnati provided Soc Takes with the following statement:
“We accept the ruling of the arbiter. We said back in the spring that we would pursue every available opportunity to defend our position, and arbitration was the final step allowed in all USL contracts. Now that the arbiter has issued his ruling, we wish Tommy all the best fortune in his career as we continue our efforts toward preparing for our first MLS season.”
The lower divisions of soccer are a complicated place for professional soccer players. While players are happy to have a place to follow their dreams, those players are often subject to low wages and a significant imbalance in power. Players I speak to often refer to these problems as “necessary evils.”
The fact that the USL and an independent arbiter upheld Tommy’s contract is significant as it shows that the league and the law will uphold player contracts. Perhaps this is a beginning of a necessary fight against necessary evils.
Follow Nipun on Twitter: @NipunChopra7.
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