How a Missed PAT Launched Brandon Aubrey’s Cowboys Career
From Soccer Fields to NFL Stardom: The Brandon Aubrey Story
Imagine this: You’re a professional soccer player making very little money, about to get married, and considering becoming a software engineer instead. Then you pick up a football on a whim, discover you’re pretty good at kicking it, and five years later you’re an All-Pro kicker for America’s Team—the Dallas Cowboys. That’s Brandon Aubrey’s real-life story.
The Big Contract Relief
Brandon Aubrey recently signed a long-term contract with the Cowboys, and he says it feels like a massive weight lifted off his shoulders.
Why it mattered so much:
- Contract negotiations weigh on you every single day—whether they’re going well or poorly
- Without a long-term deal, he only had a "tender" (a one-year offer) that wasn’t even guaranteed
- Now he can focus 100% on kicking instead of worrying about his future
Aubrey’s words: "It’s good to have it done and done well, I think, by both sides. I’m happy to stay home and ready to kick for the Cowboys again."
The Fun Part: Celebration Gifts
When asked if he bought anything fancy with his new contract, Aubrey revealed a classy team tradition:
| Gift Recipient | Who They Are |
|---|---|
| Himself | The kicker |
| Brian Anger | The punter (holder for kicks) |
| Trent Sieg | The long snapper (snaps the ball) |
| His kicking coach | The person who taught him the craft |
All four got Breitling watches! In football, the "operation" (snap → hold → kick) only works when all three specialists trust each other completely.
The Wildest First Game Ever
Most players dream of a perfect debut. Aubrey’s first NFL game was anything but perfect—and it’s now a legendary story.
What happened, step by step:
- Cowboys defense blocks the opponent’s field goal attempt
- Teammate runs it back for a touchdown → Cowboys lead 6-0
- Aubrey runs out for his very first NFL kick—an extra point
- He misses it!
How he handled it:
Aubrey’s mindset: "As a kicker, it’s kind of your job to move on from that really quickly."
His mental toolkit:
- Years of soccer experience taught him to handle failure fast
- "Neutral thinking" — don’t get too high or too low, just reset
- Learned from veterans — his holder (10+ years experience), snapper (6-7 years), and coach (decades in NFL) all helped him fix the mistake
- Got a second chance later that same game after a pick-six touchdown
The Long Road: Soccer Player → NFL Kicker
This didn’t happen overnight. Here’s the real timeline:
The Journey Map
| Year | What Happened |
|---|---|
| 2018 | Retired from soccer (team folded), got engaged, making ~$30K/year (below poverty line) |
| Late 2018 | Started studying software engineering and picked up a football for fun |
| 2019-2022 | Worked as software engineer while training seriously with a kicking coach |
| 2023 | Finally got his first pro football job—in the UFL (spring league) |
| 2023 | Signed with Dallas Cowboys |
| 2024 | Named All-Pro (best at his position in the entire NFL) |
Why it was so hard:
- No guarantee it would ever work out
- Constant rejection — "banging my head against the wall"
- Had to learn everything from scratch — different ball, different technique, different pressure
- Found a kicking coach who taught him the exact mechanics (because "just kicking hard" doesn’t work)
Life as a Dallas Cowboys Kicker
Training Camp: Same Core, New Energy
- The "Big Three" are back: Aubrey (kicker), Anger (punter), Sieg (snapper) — same operation, same trust
- New head coach Brian Schottenheimer changed the schedule — players love it
- Team culture: "Bought in, working hard, having fun" — recipe for success
Being Recognized in Public
- Kickers usually fly under the radar — but not when you’re All-Pro for the Cowboys
- Aubrey’s disguise: "I look like a generic white guy" — if he’s not wearing Cowboys gear, only die-hard fans spot him
- First recognition moment: At his favorite Mexican restaurant during his rookie bye week — waiter brought him a free Mexican candy shot
Will More Soccer Players Follow This Path?
Aubrey says yes, but with a huge warning label:
Reality Check: "It was a long journey… difficult one, and one where I felt like I was constantly banging my head in the wall, and it might not ever break for me."
Who might try:
- Soccer players not quite good enough for MLS or overseas leagues
- Athletes who want to stay in sports and have a strong leg
What they need to know:
- 5+ years from "first time kicking a football" to NFL job is normal
- Mental toughness is non-negotiable
- Technique matters more than power — it’s all in the preparation details
Important Points to Remember
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Failure ≠ End: Aubrey missed his first NFL kick and became All-Pro the same year
- The "Operation" is Everything: Kicker + Holder + Snapper = One unit. Trust = Success.
- Late Bloomers Win: He didn’t start kicking footballs until age 23 — it’s never "too late"
- Mental Game > Physical Game: "Neutral thinking" and veteran mentorship saved his rookie season
- Your Weird Path Might Be Your Strength: Software engineer → UFL → NFL All-Pro? Only Brandon Aubrey.
Summary
Brandon Aubrey’s story reads like a movie script: soccer player making poverty wages → software engineer trainee → weekend football kicker → UFL player → Dallas Cowboys All-Pro.
His journey teaches us that:
- Setbacks are setup — that missed extra point? Just data for improvement
- Find your tribe — his specialist unit (snapper, holder, coach) made all the difference
- Master the boring details — the "operation" happens before the kick even starts
- Stay neutral — don’t ride the emotional rollercoaster; reset and refocus
- Bet on yourself — even when the odds look impossible
And yes — he bought four luxury watches to celebrate the team that made it all possible.
FAQ: Your Questions Answered
Q: How did a soccer player become an NFL kicker?
A: After his soccer team folded in 2018, Aubrey started kicking footballs for fun while studying software engineering. He realized he had natural talent, hired a kicking coach to learn proper technique, worked as a software engineer while training, played in the UFL (spring league) in 2023, then signed with the Cowboys.
Q: Did missing his first NFL kick ruin his confidence?
A: Not at all! Aubrey says kickers must move on instantly. He used "neutral thinking" (staying emotionally flat), learned from his veteran teammates, and fixed the technical mistakes that caused the miss. He even got another chance later in that same game.
Q: Why did he buy watches for his snapper, holder, and coach?
A: In football, a successful kick requires three people working in perfect sync: the long snapper (snaps ball), holder (catches and places ball), and kicker. They call this "the operation." Aubrey credits his success to their trust and experience, so he celebrated them too.
Q: Is it common for soccer players to become NFL kickers?
A: It’s rare but growing. Aubrey warns it’s a 5+ year grind with no guarantees. Most soccer players who try don’t make it. But for those with strong legs, mental toughness, and willingness to start from zero, it’s a possible path.
Q: What’s "neutral thinking" and why does it matter?
A: It’s a mental skill where you don’t label events as "good" or "bad" — you just observe them and move to the next play. Aubrey learned this from soccer and mental strength coaches. It prevents one miss from becoming two misses, or one make from causing overconfidence.
Want to hear more? Aubrey shared this story on The Sweet Spot (Sportsradio 96.7 FM / 1310 The Ticket) during Cowboys training camp. The full interview has even more details about his wild ride from software engineering interviews to NFL stardom!