Harry Kane Eyes NFL Kicking Career After Football

England’s national team captain and all-time leading marksman has revealed that a transition to American football could form part of his post-retirement plans. During a media session at the Three Lions’ UEFA Nations League training base, the prolific striker indicated that stepping onto an American gridiron might actually happen once his soccer days conclude.

While the Bayern Munich talisman has previously entertained ambitions regarding golf and North American football, his perspective on trying out for the National Football League has clearly shifted toward genuine contemplation. Any potential relocation across the Atlantic, however, remains several years away from materializing.

“That is something ⁠⁠I will try and look at a bit more seriously,” Kane said. “It all depends on what happens in my career over the next five or six years. The NFL is a lot more realistic than the golf one, let’s put it that way.”

Having established himself as his nation’s premier scorer with 85 international goals across 121 appearances—nearly a third originating from successful spot-kicks—the veteran forward believes his proficiency under pressure could provide a helpful foundation.

Transferring Soccer Skills to the Gridiron

Mastering penalty duties on the football pitch involves psychological hurdles and mechanical execution that bear a striking resemblance to field-goal kicking. Despite these apparent parallels, mastering a completely new athletic discipline demands intensive preparation.

“I take penalties and it is a very similar pressure and technique … In terms of training, I would be closer to that more than any other sport,” the striker explained. “Pero, with all elite sports, when you watch it on TV, people make it look easy; you think it is possible, but that is ⁠⁠not always the case.”

Should he ultimately pursue this gridiron ambition, the experienced competitor intends to dedicate considerable time to honing his craft before attempting any competitive transition. A rigorous preparation window lasting up to a full year would be mandatory.

“If I was to do it, it is ⁠⁠something I would take seriously. I would take maybe six months to a year of trying to practise beforehand,” he added.

Exploring Major League Soccer Opportunities

To bridge the gap between his traditional soccer commitments and potential gridiron aspirations, the English skipper noted that a late-career stint in Major League Soccer might serve as a convenient logistical stepping stone.

“Maybe if I am in ⁠⁠the MLS in the future or somewhere like that it might be a thing where you could connect the two maybe with ⁠⁠the seasons,” he noted.

Precedent certainly exists for cross-code transitions within professional athletics. Notable examples include:

• Brandon Aubrey, currently kicking for the Dallas Cowboys, who originally launched his professional journey as a first-round MLS draft selection for Toronto FC in 2017 without logging a senior appearance.
• Jake Bates, who transitioned from collegiate football to secure a starting role as a kicker for the Detroit Lions.

While these intriguing long-term ambitions occupy his thoughts, the immediate focus for the Bayern Munich star remains firmly fixed on his ongoing commitments with club and country.