In a surprising offer, a Super Bowl-winning kicker has reached out to Harry Kane, aiding him in his ambition to make a mark in the NFL as a kicker. Currently performing brilliantly for Bayern Munich, Kane has secured a remarkable position, netting two goals against FC Koln during the DFB-Pokal on Wednesday night. The England international has frequently expressed his aspiration to explore American football.
‘I love it, so I would love to give it a go’
Kane has distinguished himself by being the quickest player to reach 100 goals in Europe’s leading leagues. While thriving in Germany, he has mentioned that training as an NFL kicker has always lingered in his mind. Kane stated in 2023, “I know it will be a lot of hard work. I’m not expecting to just rock up and start kicking field goals. It would be a lot of practice. The NFL is something I’ve been following for about 10 years now. I love it, so I would love to give it a go.”
Football journalist Henry Winter predicted Kane might consider American football in the future once he hangs up his soccer boots. Ahead of Kane’s centennial cap for England, Winter expressed his thoughts on the former Spurs player’s potential transition.
“If I was taking a punt, as it were, I would say that within three years he’ll be a kicker in the NFL. He’s talked about it, he’s big mates with Tom Brady, and it has been done before,” Winter shared last year.
‘He would do fantastic’
The generous offer to help realize Kane’s NFL dreams comes from Dustin Colquitt, a Super Bowl champion with the Kansas City team from 2020. Colquitt, aspiring for soccer during his upbringing, believes Kane would excel in American football.
When queried by BBC Sport whether Kane could transition to an NFL kicker, Colquitt affirmed, “Absolutely, if he focused on it. He would do fantastic. I’ve seen some of his finishing skills.”
Colquitt is eager to assist Kane, emphasizing, “I would love to actually work with him just because I love soccer, and his excitement. He’s seeking this out - that’s part of the fiber of his being, that he wants to try this NFL thing.”
‘When he’s ready, I’m ready’
A punter’s role is crucial as they handle the ball for the kicker. Thus, Kane would require a qualified punter to fulfill his aspirations in professional American football. Colquitt added, “The guy that holds for those field goals, that is extremely important - knowing where the laces [on the ball] are, if you’ve got wind. So when he’s ready, I’m ready.”
In 2021, Kane stressed the parallels between an NFL kicker’s responsibilities and a penalty shootout: “The kicks an NFL kicker makes are almost the equivalent to a penalty kick. A lot of people can score penalties in training, but can you do it under pressure?” Kane remarked to Gary Neville.
Kane wouldn’t be alone in this journey
Kane’s ambition to pursue American football comes as various former footballers have transitioned to the NFL. Notably, Toni Fritsch retired from soccer at 26, later achieving a Super Bowl ring in 1972, and Clive Allen attempted his luck with the London Monarchs at 35. Current NFL kickers like Brandon Aubrey, Harrison Butker, and Cairo Santos also have soccer backgrounds.
Presently, Kane has a contract with Bayern Munich lasting until 2027 but has attracted links to a possible return to the Premier League in recent times.
