A Day in the Life
From http://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com/en/da/dl/13.html
Day in the Life of
Ethan Zohn
“You are the survivor!”
Name: Ethan Zohn
Age: 28
Lives: New York City
Football Experience: Goalkeeper for Vassar College and for the Zimbabwe Highlanders for two years
Claim to fame: Won “Survivor Africa,” reality TV game show
7:00 a.m. - Not another bathroom break
Boards bus for trip to Daegu for USA v. Korea match. Zohn chats with fellow passengers, including family members of the U.S. national team, and then finds a seat in the back for some research. He’s got the several local newspapers and football magazines. With him is producer/camera person/boss Lorna Gordon, who hails from London.
They relax and brainstorm the day, which will include filming another of “Zohn’s Zone,” a daily multi-media report on the U.S. Soccer web site.
The bus stops frequently for bathroom breaks for the many kids on board. The mood is excited.
1:00 p.m. - Can I get a photo?
Daegu is jumping. Red Devils shirts everywhere the eye can see. Zohn gets off bus into happy chaos. As he walks to the stadium, a Korean stops him.
“You are the survivor!” the Korean declares. “Can I get a photo?”
“When I found out you were a soccer player, I wanted you to win the show,” says one American in face paint. It is turning into an Ethan love-fest. Before he enters the stadium, Zohn will have his picture taken with 50 Americans.
Zohn then turns the tables and starts interviewing some of the more outrageously dressed fans for the website — an Elvis impersonator, two fans in body paint and white underwear briefs, then three American military guys in Afro wigs.
“That’s the first time I’ve had my picture taken with two painted guys in tightie-whities (briefs),” he laughs.
3:45 p.m. - Goal to the good
When Mathis scored his early strike, Zohn gets on his cell phone to his roommate back in New York and discuses the goal surrounded by a hoard of Koreans in the lower bowl.
He seems to take it all in with wide-eyed awe. He later admits he would not be at the FIFA World Cupô were it not for his sudden pop celebrity and would like a career in broadcasting.
He is turning into a good reporter. After the match, Zohn gets Clint Mathis’s brother to admit that he told Clint to get a haircut but never expected he’d go for the Mohawk, and also to say how he felt like crying when his brother scored because it was Clint’s dream.
7:00 p.m. - Tom Cruise, whatever
After interviewing Brian McBride’s wife, Zohn settles in for the long bus ride back to Seoul. He reviews the day and his performance.
He is still riding the crest of the Survivor wave, but knows it won’t last. After the FIFA World Cup he will spend time with his foundation, Grassroot Soccer, which is designed to use football to educate African youth about AIDS prevention.
“I’m not interested in the Hollywood thing. If they asked me to star in the next Tom Cruise movie I’d take it, but soccer is what I know,” he says. The seed money for Grassroot Soccer came from his “Survivor” winnings.
Until then, Zohn is with the U.S. team, supporting them. His mood is mixed after the draw with Korea.
“I’ve gotten close to these guys, and I know how much they wanted to win,” he says.
:: Article Sidebar ::
Learning any conversational Korean?
“Yes - Set’ak ssobisu toeminikka? Which means, “Where can I get my clothes washed?” I figured the phrase would be useful since I’ll be (here) through the final.”
Sampled any tasty Korean snack foods?
“I’ve been eating the rice balls at 7-11. They’re the perfect snack.”
Which team will be a Survivor of the FIFA World Cup?
“At this point it’s hard to say. There’s been so many upsets, I wouldn’t be surprised if Holland won. No seriously, I think Italy could do it.”
I heard you practiced with some guys from the U.S. team?
“Yes, I played with the staff guys from U.S. Soccer. It was as close as I’ll get to playing in the 2002 FIFA World Cup Ö Some guys score in the first four minutes of the game like John O’Brien. Me, I sprained my ankle.”
You look like you need a haircut. How about letting Clint Mathis cut your hair?
“These curls were actually Clint’s idea.”
What American player would do best at Survivor?
“Pablo Mastroeni; he can hide food and supplies in his hair.”