Tim Howard’s perspective on the controversial selection of a US soccer star for the Olympics was significantly influenced by Travis Kelce and Patrick Mahomes. Their impact not only changed his mind but also made the entire situation captivating

As a player, I always believed in the sanctity of the group: if you went against the majority in the locker room, if you went against what they believe to be right, then I was very, very hard on you.

Just ask my teammate at Everton who refused to join our Pride campaign because it went against his beliefs. I told him: ‘You are bang out of order. This cause is far bigger than you.’

Other players agreed but they wouldn’t rock the boat. I was always more outspoken – I’d tell the player in private and I’d tell them in front of the group.

It is impossible to get 25 people to agree on everything, of course. But a team is a family. And that means we all have to pull in the same direction.

Unfortunately, even the best teams can be engulfed by division. Take the USWNT, which kicks off its Olympic campaign against Zambia on Thursday

But new manager Emma Hayes has stuck by the 20-year-old – ignoring fan backlash to select her for the Olympic roster. It’s a big call that comes with big risks.

But is it the right one? Well, my opinion has changed recently – thanks to Travis Kelce and Patrick Mahomes.

The Kansas City Chiefs faced a brewing scandal earlier this offseason, when kicker Harrison Butker made a controversial commencement speech, telling women that one of their most important roles in life will be ‘homemaker’.

It caused a stink and it put his Chiefs teammates and coaches in a very difficult position.

I thought Butker was out of line and if he was in my locker room, I’d have told him that. I’m still someone who thinks: if I have a stance and it’s the right one and you don’t come around to it, I’ll be disappointed. But Mahomes and Kelce really opened my eyes