There have been a huge number of sporting stars that have switched sports throughout their careers.
Michael Jordan was one of the notable names in the U.S., as he switched from basketball to baseball before winning an additional NBA title with the Chicago Bulls.
American Football and soccer share some of the same notable skills required to ensure a positive conversion, with soccer players such as Harry Kane indicating that he would be interested in a career in the NFL after ending his soccer career.
However, one star that has shown that there is a clear route to the top of American Football after a career in soccer is Dallas Cowboys Kicker Brandon Aubrey.
Early Career
Aubrey was always regarded as one of the most talented athletes of his age, but he decided to embark on a career in soccer.
The American captained the Dallas Texans SC at the youth level between 2008 and 2010, winning the State Cup on five occasions.
As well as that, the team would also win the Classic League title in 2009 and 2010.
After showing early promise, he would continue to set his sights on playing soccer at the highest level after playing the sport in high school at Dallas Jesuit in Texas.
During this period, he was named Honorable Mention All-District as a freshman, and later the First Team All-District in his sophomore year.
College Success
Aubrey’s progression in soccer continued at college level, as he played four years with the University of Notre Dame. Between 2013 and 2016, he would achieve huge success, which included being named an NSCAA Third Team All-American.
As well as that, he would also pick up accolades such as the First Team All-ACC and NSCAA First Team All-South Region.
Following an excellent college stay, it was clear that he would be hot property in the 2017 MLS SuperDraft.
Professional Soccer Career
Following his excellent performances at the collegiate level, Aubrey was selected in the first round by Toronto FC in the 2017 Draft.
However, contrary to other American soccer stars who found success in Bundesliga betting sites, like Christian Pulisic, he struggled to succeed in this sport.
He found minutes hard to come by at Toronto FC and was loaned to the second team for the 2017 USL season.
His professional debut arrived in a match against Phoenix Rising FC just a few months later. However, Aubrey would depart Toronto in the winter of 2018 after failing to make a single professional appearance.
He would spend a single season with Bethlehem Steel FC in the USL, before being released from his contract at the end of the season.
Venture into American Football
Following his release from Bethlehem Steel, Aubrey opted to use his degree to become a software engineer. However, it was during this time that he would watch the NFL on television, and determined that he could be a better placekicker than stars in the NFL.
After a prolonged period of practice with kicking coach Brian Egan, he was drafted by the Birmingham Stallions in 2022.
He would achieve major success during his debut season for the team, converting 18 of his 22 field goal attempts. Aubrey would also be named to the inaugural All-USFL team.
Major success would follow on the field in the championship game, as the star would score on two of his three attempts, as the Stallions beat the Philadelphia Stars.
After that dominant first season, Aubrey re-signed with the Stallions for the 2023 season. His performances would continue to draw attention, making 14 of his 15 field goals to boast an excellent 93.3% success rate.
He also recorded a league-high 57 kickoffs and six touchbacks.
After being crowned champions of the south, the Stallions would add another USFL Championship following a 28-12 win over the New Orleans Breakers.
Cowboys Snap up Aubrey
It was announced in July 2023 that the Stallions would be terminating Aubrey’s contract with the team to enable him to sign for the Dallas Cowboys in the NFL. His immediate impact was evident after making four of his five extra-point opportunities in a victory over the New York Giants.
His excellent performances on the field would continue with eleven points against the Los Angeles Rams, before he set an NFL record for the most consecutive field goals at the start of a career against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Brandon Aubrey would be named the Sunday Night Football Player of the Game after the win over the Eagles.
Further NFL history would be made in August 2024, as he would kick a 66-yard field goal against the Las Vegas Raiders. His excellent performances in the NFL have quickly seen him become one of the best kickers in the league.
At the end of the 2024 season, he had converted on all 30 of his extra point attempts.