Sporting KC’s Jimmy Nielsen was a closet cigarette smoker
- Facebook: Sporting KC
- The White Puma used to sneak smokes.
Pro athletes seemingly smoke only in the movies. And even then, it’s more for comedic effect (see Rhys Ifans in The Replacements) than a dramatic confession. So it’s a bit shocking that Sporting KC goalkeeper Jimmy Nielsen announced to MLSSoccer.com that he quit smoking on December 31, 2012. In the candid interview, Nielsen told the website that it was “never something he was proud of…that’s why it’s something I would sneak out to do, especially hiding it from the kids.”
At the same time, he also broke up with Diet Coke. The MLS goalkeeper of the year in 2012 just gave up the two biggest vices in his life, which doesn’t bode well for the Chicago Fire. Sporting KC’s (1-1) home opener is Saturday at 2 p.m. against its biggest rival.
