From MLS to NFL: The Unlikely Second Act of Brandon Aubrey
Some sporting stories make you look twice. Brandon Aubrey makes you rethink what a football career can become. Once a professional footballer chasing minutes in Major League Soccer, he now delivers match-defining kicks in front of packed NFL stadiums. Different sport, same pressure. And somehow, it fits.
Football First
Brandon Aubrey grew up with football as his main language. Raised in Texas, he came through elite youth environments where the ball was central to daily life. He chose football over American football at a young age, committing fully to the game he enjoyed most. That path took him to Notre Dame, one of the strongest college football programs in the United States, where he developed as a composed defender with a clean striking technique.
His journey led to Major League Soccer. In 2017, Aubrey was drafted by Toronto FC. The opportunity was real, but the environment was demanding, especially for young players trying to establish themselves in squads built to win immediately. Minutes were limited, loans followed, and stability was hard to find. After a short spell in the United Soccer League, Aubrey stepped away from professional football altogether. For many, that would have been the end of the story.
A Different Kind of Reset
Instead of chasing another contract, Aubrey chose clarity. He put his degree to use and began working as a software engineer. Football moved to the background, but competition never left his mindset. What changed was perspective. Time away from the pitch gave him space to reassess his strengths, his mentality, and what he truly enjoyed about elite sport.
The turning point came at home, watching an NFL game together with his wife. After a missed kick, his wife looked at him and said something simple: “you could do that”. It was not meant as a bold prediction, but it stayed with him. A quiet idea that refused to fade, until curiosity turned into action, and action into commitment.
What followed was not an overnight switch, but a careful rebuild. Aubrey returned to the field alone, testing his range. Sixty yards felt natural. The mechanics were familiar. The pressure was different, but the action itself was not. He committed again. Early mornings. Late evenings. Training around a full-time job with no guarantees.
That commitment earned him a chance in the USFL with the Birmingham Stallions. This time, he arrived prepared. Confident and comfortable with pressure. When the NFL came calling, he was ready to step forward instead of wondering if he belonged.
Kicking at the Highest Level
That readiness carried him all the way to the Dallas Cowboys. Since arriving in the NFL in 2023, Brandon Aubrey has become one of the most reliable kickers in the league. His numbers underline it. An 88.2 percent career field goal percentage places him as the fifth-most accurate kicker in NFL history. Even more remarkable, he holds the NFL record for the most career field goals made from 60 yards or longer.
The connection to football is impossible to miss. His approach mirrors a set-piece routine. Balance. Timing. Repetition. Years spent striking a football translated smoothly into a role where one clean contact can decide a game.
A Rare Switch
Crossing from one sport to another at the highest level rarely works. Many have tried. Few succeed. Brandon Aubrey’s journey stands out because it was never about chasing novelty. It was about recognising a transferable skill and trusting the process.
His story is a reminder that life after football does not always mean leaving competition behind. Sometimes, it means finding the right stage to let the same skills shine.
Different lines on the field. Same calm under pressure.
Images in this article are sourced from publicly available social media and online platforms. If you are a rights holder and wish to request removal, please contact us.
Ready for more?
Curious to see which other footballer transfer their influence to other sports? Read how Kylian Mbappé joins the french SailGP team!
From exclusive interviews to business moves and lifestyle beyond the pitch, explore more stories inside the Player’s Lounge.
Want to stay updated with more Life After Football exclusive content, behind-the-scenes stories, and lifestyle from beyond the pitch? Subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on Instagram to never miss a moment!
