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England captain Harry Kane has never hidden his ambition to one day cross over into the NFL. The Bayern Munich striker, now 32, has spoken openly about his desire to become an American football kicker once his professional football career concludes.
“Trying to become a kicker is always something that’s in the back of my mind,” Kane said last month. “I know it’ll take a lot of hard work. I’m not expecting to just show up and start kicking field goals — it would take serious practice.”
That opportunity may not be as far-fetched as it seems. One Super Bowl champion believes Kane can make the transition — and is willing to train him personally.
Kane’s fascination with American football began over a decade ago. In 2011, he watched a documentary on legendary quarterback Tom Brady, which sparked a lasting admiration and turned him into a New England Patriots supporter.
He attended the Patriots’ 2019 Super Bowl triumph in Atlanta, where he befriended Brady and former teammate Julian Edelman.
Ahead of his 100th England cap in 2023, journalist Henry Winter told BBC Radio 5 Live: “If I had to guess, I’d say within three years Kane will be an NFL kicker. He’s talked about it, he’s close with Brady, and it’s been done before.”
During an appearance on Good Morning America, Kane reiterated that becoming an NFL kicker is “something I definitely want to explore” once his football career ends. “The NFL is something I’ve followed for about 10 years now. I love it — I’d love to give it a go.”
Former Kansas City Chiefs punter Dustin Colquitt, a Super Bowl winner in 2020, believes Kane could thrive as an NFL kicker — provided he commits to the process.
“I’ve seen his finishing skills,” Colquitt told BBC Sport. “If he focused on it, he’d do fantastic. I’d love to work with him. He’s got the right mentality — he’s genuinely excited about it, and that’s part of who he is.”
Colquitt, who set a Chiefs record with 238 appearances over 15 seasons, knows what it takes to succeed in high-pressure situations. He also emphasized that having an experienced holder is crucial for success.
“The guy holding the ball can make or break the kick,” he explained. “Knowing where the laces are, reading the wind — it’s all critical. So when Kane’s ready, I’m ready.”
Kane believes his penalty-taking experience gives him a psychological edge. The striker told The Overlap with Gary Neville that an NFL kick is “almost the equivalent of a penalty.”
Kane’s record supports that comparison — 93 goals from 105 penalties, including 36 out of 37 since his 2022 World Cup miss against France.
“A lot of people can score in training,” he said, “but can you do it under pressure, when the game’s on the line? That’s where I might have an advantage.”
Colquitt agrees that mindset matters most: “Punters and kickers live by ‘one shot, one kill’ — you get one chance, and you have to deliver.”
The idea of footballers turning NFL kickers is not unprecedented. Austrian forward Toni Fritsch famously made the switch in the 1970s after being scouted by the Dallas Cowboys. He helped them win the 1972 Super Bowl, earning a championship ring despite being injured.
Other footballers such as Garo Yepremian, Morten Andersen, Jan Stenerud, Toni Linhart, and Neil O'Donoghue also enjoyed successful transitions. Even Clive Allen, the former Tottenham and England striker, briefly tried his hand in 1997 with the London Monarchs, converting all six field goals he attempted.
Today, several NFL kickers — including Brandon Aubrey (Dallas Cowboys), Harrison Butker (Kansas City Chiefs), and Cairo Santos (Chicago Bears) — have football backgrounds. Veterans Nick Folk and Matt Prater, both still active at 41, prove that kickers can perform well into their late 30s and beyond.
Kane’s Bayern Munich contract runs until 2027, when he will be nearing 34. With the longevity of NFL kickers and his elite mentality under pressure, there’s still ample time for him to pursue his American football dream.
If his commitment to preparation matches his ambition, Harry Kane’s path from Premier League icon to NFL kicker may one day move from fantasy to fact.
