Houston Dynamo’s Craig Waibel Equals 63 yard NFL Field Goal Record
By: Daryl | July 30th, 2008You read that right. Dynamo defender Craig Waibel equalled the NFL record 63 yard field goal while kicking with the Houston Texans for charity. OK, so it wasn’t a game situation and no one was rushing him (or whatever you call it, I don’t really understand NFL to be honest) but it’s still impressive. Texans regular kicker Kris Brown looked impressed anyway.
Got me thinking: though there’s a very legitimate complaint in the US that soccer loses untold quantities of talent to other sports (can you imagine if LeBron James played centre forward? etc, etc) there’s also a talent drain in the other direction.
I remember ex-US MNT keeper Tony Meola tried out for the New York Jets back in 1994 and didn’t quite make it, but how many potentially top-quality field goal kickers have opted for soccer over the NFL?
On balance, soccer obviously loses more guys to other sports than it gains, for all kinds of reasons that are a whole other blog post. But knowing that maybe - just maybe - soccer is taking guys away from the NFL makes the whole world seem a little bit better balanced.
Category: North America
Subscribe
|
Print
|
Share
      |
Comments | Add your comment
-
“Can you imagine if LeBron James played centre forward? etc, etc”
…Or if Steve Nash played any position…ever. The man has skills.I don’t understand American football in the slightest besides the term “touchdown” and I live here. One day I’ll make an effort. Still a cool stunt though.
Posted from
United States
-
Image how far Roberto Carlos can kick a football
Posted from
United States -
2 kickers I remember with soccer backgrounds are Martin Gramatica and Morten Andersen. Both came from countries where soccer was the number 1 sport, Gramatica is Argentinian and Andersen is Danish and both moved to America, went to college, and became kickers.
Posted from
United States -
If Weibel could do that with consistency he would make a pretty nice living in the NFL, while being shunned by his teammates and called a pansy behind his back. Of course, like most things, it’s not as easy as it looks.
As a side note, former Aussie rules star Darren Bennett carved out a solid career as a punter in the NFL
Posted from
United States -
If Weibel could do that with consistency he would make a pretty nice living in the NFL, while being shunned by his teammates and called a pansy behind his back. Of course, like most things, it’s not as easy as it looks.
As a side note, former Aussie rules star Darren Bennett carved out a solid career as a punter in the NFL
Posted from
United States -
Thanks for the post Daryl. I have viewed so many “what if” scenarios, but they are always entertaining, even if they are or they aren’t pragmatical.
To share and expand;
I have a recurring reverie where somebody makes a strong strike (like the aforementioned R. Carlos) with a slight swerve from afar, far atop the penalty area to the top right corner. Only it ends up not blocked, punched, nor scoring a goal, but the ball becomes saved and “palmed” single-handedly by a standing keeper Michael Jordan, Thhwwap! like super glue.
Fortunately, I wake before he is able to throw/pass for a counter.
Posted from
United States -
The biggest leg in the NFL, Janakosky played soccer. I think some NFL team shoulod give Waibel a tryout.
Posted from
United States -
John Smith - This guy for the Patriots a long time ago… I believe he used his kicking background as a little bit of marketing for his soccer camps. I remember thinking it was great that he used his small NFL notoriety and pay to promote the game he really cared about.
http://www.patriots.com/alumni/index.cfm?ac=alumnibiosdetail&bio=15731
Posted from
United States
Leave a Reply
If you have not commented here before, please take a moment to peruse ourCommenting Guidelines.
Home 
