EVERTON goalie Tim Howard is showing off his richly tattoed torso for a new anti-fur campaign.
Animal rights group PETA has signed the American foorballer's fab abs for a brand new video that hits home the message "Ink, Not Mink. Be Comfortable in Your Own Skin – Let Animals Keep Theirs".
In the film, shot by top celebrity photographer Trevor Leighton, Howard says: "Protecting animals is very important to me, and I think speaking out against fur is an amazing cause." Howard proved he is a keeper in every sense by recently signing a new deal with the Blues that will keep him at Goodison until 2018,
He added: "When I see someone wearing fur, I just want to sit them down in front of one of PETA's videos and show them just how badly animals suffer for this supposed fabric that no one needs."
The 35-year-old, who Everton Manager Roberto Martinez recently described as one of the best goalkeepers in the Premiership, is already known for his big hearted work off the pitch. He was awarded the American Major League Soccer Humanitarian of the Year Award for his work with young people affected by Tourettes Syndrome, which he was himself diagnosed with at the age of 10.
Grab a Granite
He was joined by hundreds of supporters who turned up at Goodison Park for the event which coincided with the 86th anniversary of Everton's greatest-ever striker's 60th league goal in the1927/28 season.
Plans to unveil a new gateway to the stadium were revealed in February and the Dean statue is the centrepiece of the area. The statue, which was originally unveiled in May 2001, is now surrounded by a commemorative wall made up of engraved stones.
The personalised "Goodison Granites" sold out within days of going on sale with fans eager to immortalise themselves on the wall.
The new area has been a project co-ordinated by the Everton Fans' Forum, with support from the club.
Martinez said: "It was quite an exciting moment. We'd all been hearing a lot of good things about the project and what has been going on with the Fans' Forum working really hard and the club.
"But you don't see the picture until it gets unveiled and it was very impressive.
"For me, it represents the two big pillars of everything we do on a daily basis; the fans and our heritage."
