Drake Maye backs Harry Kane's NFL kicking ambition
The Patriots quarterback spoke in Munich ahead of a Detroit game, praising the Bayern Munich star's ability to handle pressure.
By Julia Wang ·
New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye endorsed the idea of Bayern Munich forward Harry Kane attempting to play as an NFL kicker. Maye made the comment on Thursday following a practice session held at the Bayern campus in Munich. The meeting took place ahead of the Patriots' Sunday matchup against the Detroit Lions.
Maye cited Kane's professional experience with high-stakes moments as the primary reason he believes the soccer star could succeed in the role. "It would be cool to see him try," Maye said. "He's dealt with pressure, that's one of the biggest things about kicking in the National Football League is the pressure of it. He does that for a living. So, I don't think he'd have any problem."
Kane, 33, recently secured a contract extension with Bayern Munich that keeps him with the club through 2029. He also recently became the first English player to win the Ballon d'Or in 25 years. The award recognizes soccer's best player worldwide. It is unclear when Kane might be ready to pursue a kicking career given his current commitment to the German club.
The England captain has previously discussed the possibility of combining an NFL stint with a position in Major League Soccer. Maye noted that he has watched Kane kick the ball a few times. "I think I've seen him maybe kick a few and he looked pretty good," Maye said. "No doubt, he does that for a living, so I'm sure he'd be just fine."
Jaguars kicker Cam Little offered a different perspective a month ago. Little kicked a game-winning 57-yard field goal in a 19-17 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles in London. He suggested Kane's main adjustment would be shifting from a star striker to a supporting role. "You're out there just to back everyone up basically," Little said.
Patriots tight end Hunter Henry also commented on the topic. Henry admitted he does not know much about soccer but respects the Bayern player. "He's a dawg, lot of respect for Harry Kane," Henry said. Bayern is currently celebrating its first Ballon d'Or winner in 45 years. It is also the first time a player from a German club has won the award since 1996.
