It is the 38th minute. Tensions are high as the Philadelphia Union are down 2-0 to Toronto FC. Andrew Wenger goes up for a header in an attempt to create a chance for the Union, but instead receives a blow to the brow. As the midfielder lies on the ground, referee Jorge Gonzales makes the signal and on runs Paul Rushing, the Union’s head athletic trainer, to access the situation. With a slight beard and strong build, Rushing fits the part of a soccer trainer. Although a regular looking guy, Rushing’s arms hold a unique twist as his tattoos are prominent and tell a tale of his past.
Paul Rushing began his career with the U.S Navy at the age of 19, where he served for eight years as a second class petty officer and earned several medals. Three years after graduating Western Illinois University, Rushing made the right connections and earned the title of athletic trainer on the U-17 U.S. Men’s National Team. While with the U-17s, Rushing met the Union’s previous coach, John Hackworth, who called him one day and offered him the athletic training position with the Union.
“I have never played soccer in my life. It could have been another thing but I had the opportunity with soccer and that eventually brought me to Philadelphia. I met a lot of good people that helped me get to this point and I am very grateful,” Rushing said.
While constructing his career, Rushing enjoyed the art of tattoos and started to get some artwork done on himself. In total, Rushing has six tattoos, five on his left arm and a sleeve on his right. Coincidentally, Rushing paid for his tattoos with what he knows best: athletic training. Rushing´s tattoo artist had neck, back and shoulder problems and as the sleeve started to take shape, they bartered tattoo sessions for treatment. Each tattoo holds importance with the Union trainer and serves as a timeline of his life.
One of Rushing’s tattoos symbolizes his life all the way back to his childhood, where he experienced some troublesome times. “It is a skull with a battle helmet and a wave coming over the top. The battle helmet represents the rough life I had when I was young. My parents were divorced and I lived with my grandparents. We did not have any money. It was tough and I did not feel like I had a normal childhood,” Rushing explained.
The tattoo that holds the most importance to Rushing features the names of his daughters, Stephanie, 23, and Emily, two.
The same arm displays a colorful Koi fish. “The fish going down represents the difficult times I have overcome. Things are better now. I found a woman I love, I got married, had another kid and now my life is the way it is supposed to be.”
The Union will play at home again in PPL Park on Sept. 12 to face Columbus Crew SC at 7 p.m.
