Tottenham star Harry Kane's NFL hopes dismissed by Hall of Famer Morten Andersen: 'It’s not going to happen'

Harry Kane (R) has said that he wants to pursue a career as an NFL kicker in 10 or 12 years' time
Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty I
George Flood24 July 2019

Tottenham and England striker Harry Kane's hopes of a future career in American football have been given short shrift by NFL Hall of Famer Morten Andersen.

Kane is a big NFL fan as well as an ambassador for the UK's fledgling NFL Academy, while he said earlier this year that his desire to play in the league as a kicker was "real".

"It's something that in 10 or 12 years I definitely want to try," he said.

However, Andersen - only the second placekicker to be inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame and the first since 1991 - does not believe such ambitions are feasible, comparing it to him taking set-pieces for Manchester United in the Premier League.

“For Harry Kane to become an NFL kicker, it’s not going to happen," the 'Great Dane', who scored 2,544 points and 565 field goals in a career that spanned 382 games and five different teams, told betoclock.

"Not to burst the bubble, as I would love to work with him. If I could have him for a month to train him to see how it goes.

"But it’s like me becoming a specialist free-kick taker for Man United.

"You need to be successful on 80% of your kicks in the NFL, and it’s not easy.

"If Harry’s not going to make eight out of 10 kicks, it’s not going to happen. There’s a large number of guys hoping to make it as an NFL kicker.

"Not only being able to deliver the ball, but you’re facing 11 guys across the line of scrimmage. They’re going to snort, spit and call him names to try and stop him.

"You have to deliver from snap to kick in 1.2s – 1.5s through a target that is 16 feet 8 inches, and 10 feet above the crowd. Not forgetting the millions of people watching in the stands. Doesn’t it sound a bit ridiculous?”

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