A man who was once the all-time top scorer in American football would love to play a role in helping a football star complete a crossover
Morten Andersen knows what it takes to play in the NFL, as a member of the American Football Hall of Fame and one of the greatest kickers of all time, and the Dane is not convinced Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi could follow in his footsteps.
The biggest turf show is almost upon us again, with the sports world counting down the hours until Super Bowl LV.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will be home for this contest, with Patrick Mahomes and defending Kansas City Chiefs champion driving to Florida in an attempt to snatch a seventh ring from legendary Tom Brady.
Billions of people across the globe will tune in on Sunday to glimpse elite athletes performing at the peak of their powers, with it being possible that kickers will play as big a role in this contest as any iconic quarterback or wide catcher.
Given the basic skills needed to fill such a role, could it be possible that a superstar artist from the football ranks is looking to cross the codes at some point in the future and attempt to place the Lombardi Trophy alongside the crowns? of the Champions League and the Ballon d’Or?
“There is no way that Lionel Messi or Ronaldo will consider becoming a kicker in the NFL. I don’t see this happening. They are too busy counting their shekels! Andersen, speaking in association with BonusCodeBets, Told Goal asked about two big names of all time heading to the United States.
If such a change doesn’t please the talismanic figures of Barcelona and Juventus – two of the cleanest strikers for a dead ball in football circles – could someone else take the plunge and take the plunge? , potentially a leading figure in women’s football?
“That remains to be seen,” added Andersen – who represented the Chiefs, New Orleans Saints, Atlanta Falcons, New York Giants and Minnesota Vikings during his time playing.
“Is it possible for an NFL kicker to become a Premier League football player?” I do not know.
“There are a few variables that we need to look at: are they able to hit a ball that is not round? Of course, they have exceptional technique. But maybe what would take longer, and what I would say is more difficult, is the way we have to put on the helmet and the shoulder pads, we have to make sure the ball is gone in 1.15 to 1.2 seconds from snap to snap, and you’ve got 11 really fat guys coming at you. We have a target 16 feet eight inches and 10 feet off the ground, with 80,000 people in the stadium. And we have to make this schedule work, and make it work 80-90% of the time. These are the challenges for guys who want to make this conversion.
“It’s a different skill set that you’re going to have to bring. I am not against it at all. Harry Kane talked about it at one point and I said it was ridiculous to think, and I keep saying it. I’m not discouraging Harry Kane if he wants to give it a go, but let me get involved and let me teach you some of the nuances.
“If I was going to be a top football player, who better to teach me than Harry Kane? Or Ronaldo or Messi. What I mean is you don’t just hook someone up because they’re good soccer players and you say they’re going to be an All Pro kicker – that’s a little disrespectful of what the guys are doing here.
Mental toughness is also an important weapon in any kicker’s arsenal, with the ability to play your way in a game – as Kane and Co come into football – often taken out of the equation for those spending long spells on the sidelines. to bide their time for shine.
“These are moments of intensity interrupted by boredom and managing the sidelines,” Andersen added.
“What you’re looking at is: how do you manage your time? How do you manage your energy to perform at your best in these key situations when you are asked to perform at the highest level with great intensity and focus? How do you do this? How do you recruit this? How do you train?
“It is not normal. It’s not like the rhythm of a soccer game where you have a continuous flow. I imagine the comparison would be like this: you only have to take free kicks. No penalties, just free kicks. And you’re expected to score eight or nine out of 10 – with an 11-guy wall, around that wall, through that wall, in a goal, with a goalie. And you’re going to lose your job if it drops to seven out of 10 – you’re going to be laid off!
“I don’t discourage anyone who wants to make their dreams come true. I think it’s interesting, I would love to see a woman do it.
Given the success of the USWNT team, there may be many ambitious artists who are willing to give it a try.
The talent pools run deep in both men’s and women’s games, with Andersen acknowledging that the marketing power of a top crossover star would have obvious appeal to the NFL and its continued efforts to develop an ever-expanding brand.
“When I played Denmark weren’t very interested but when I threw us into a Super Bowl all of a sudden it was national news in Scandinavia,” said the 60-year-old. , who left Copenhagen to become the NFL player. best point scorer at one stage.
“I am fully aware that this has great marketing value, because I saw it with my own situation. Absolutely, I would invite him. I would love to help and assist in locating and finding the right candidates who might succeed.
“There’s no question the NFL wants to make the game more global than it is – even though it’s pretty popular. Would I like to see this happen from a marketing perspective? Absolutely. It would be fantastic.”
Could this happen on the British coast?
There has been a lot of talk about a London-based franchise who was better positioned to lead this team than the Tottenham forward and England captain Kane.
“It would be great,” Andersen said.
“These are fairy tales. Send me to London. Let’s go kick it, Harry! If you’re ready to hang up your soccer cleats and seriously want to give it a try, let’s do it. “
