It’s not every day you see a high-profile politician like US Secretary of State John Kerry kicking around a football on the tarmac of an airport, but that’s exactly what happened during a technical stopover at Sal Airport in the Cape Verde Islands on May 5.
Despite his busy schedule dealing with complex international issues like Syria and Afghanistan, Kerry found a moment to indulge in some impromptu soccer. It’s no surprise given his lifelong love for the sport. In fact, Kerry has been a football fan since his college days at Yale, where he even scored a hat-trick in a match against Harvard back in 1965.
During his 2004 presidential campaign, Kerry would occasionally organize American football games with his team on airport tarmacs while waiting for flights. So, it seems kicking a football around during a refueling stop is just another way for Kerry to unwind and stay active, even in the midst of his diplomatic travels.
And while Kerry’s soccer skills might not be making headlines like his diplomatic efforts, it’s a reminder that even world leaders need a break and a bit of fun now and then.
Tags: John Kerry, soccer, Cape Verde, airport, diplomacy
