Brandon Aubrey never imagined he would become the highest‑paid kicker in NFL history, but the numbers tell a different story. After a four‑year, $28 million extension with the Dallas Cowboys, the former soccer player reflects on the winding road that led him from the pitches of Major League Soccer to the end zones of America’s most watched football league.
From Soccer Fields to NFL End Zones
Aubrey’s soccer roots run deep. He starred as a center‑back at Notre Dame University, earned a first‑round MLS Draft selection by Toronto FC, and later played alongside U.S. MNT playmaker Brenden Aaronson at Bethlehem Steel before moving to the USL Championship and eventually the Birmingham Stallions of the United States Football League.
His love for the beautiful game was shaped early by idols Thierry Henry and Clint Dempsey, both of whom he watched while Arsenal clinched a Premier League title after 22 years. Those influences still echo in his pre‑kick routine, where he visualizes the ball’s trajectory and rehearses the process rather than the outcome.
Mental Preparation and the Art of the Kick
Aubrey’s preparation blends physical drills with mental exercises. He practices breathing techniques, listens to Chris Stapleton on game day, and runs through a series of mental cues that keep his focus sharp even under the brightest stadium lights.
The kicker also offers concrete advice to aspiring soccer players facing penalty shoot‑outs: rehearse the routine, trust the process, and let the mind stay present. ‘The process is what you control,’ he says, a mantra that has served him well on the gridiron.
A Cross‑League Journey
After quitting soccer in 2018, Aubrey briefly considered a career in software engineering, only to be nudged back onto the field by his wife Jenn. Three years of dedicated kicking coaching paid off when his performance with the Birmingham Stallions caught the eye of the Dallas Cowboys, who signed him after a standout USFL stint.
His soccer background proved surprisingly transferable; the footwork, angle judgment and consistency required for a precise free‑kick mirrored the demands of NFL field goals. In his rookie season, Aubrey made 32 of 37 field‑goal attempts, earning a reputation for clutch performances.
Looking Ahead: World Cup and Beyond
Beyond the NFL, Aubrey remains a soccer fan at heart, naming France, Spain and England as his World Cup favorites while believing the United States men’s national team can reach the quarterfinals if they navigate the group stage. ‘The sky’s the limit,’ he says, eyes already on the next challenge.
Now settled in Plano, Texas, Aubrey balances his professional commitments with family life, continuing to refine his craft and inspire teammates with the same dedication he once applied to Arsenal’s midfield.