Carli Lloyd, a captain on the U.S. women's national soccer team, said she has some "pretty serious" offers from NFL teams to kick for them during a preseason game, according to NFL.com.
The buzz around Lloyd's potential as an NFL kicker began when a video of her kicking a field goal at a joint practice between the Baltimore Ravens and Philadelphia Eagles went viral. In the video, Lloyd kicked a 55-yard field goal.
Carli Lloyd Crushes 55-Yard Field Goal After Eagles Training Camp Practicewww.youtube.com
Lloyd said she could've joined a team for a preseason game this Thursday to make her NFL debut, but she and the women's national team are already scheduled for a match against Portugal.
"Pretty serious," Lloyd said of the nature of the offers. "Like I said, I have a game this Thursday, which I happen to be playing in Philadelphia. It's not something I would've passed up. First and foremost, I am a soccer player. But it's been crazy. A casual day, me just having some fun, being competitive and kicking field goals went to being the most talked-about news around the globe. It's just crazy how all of that works."
At least one NFL player has his doubts about her ability to put the pads on and kick in a game.
"Sound sweet til somebody block the kick and all of a sudden she on defense," San Diego Chargers receiver Keenan Allen wrote. "Would be like the stampede scene in the lion king movie. She do got a boot though!"
Sound sweet til somebody block the kick and all of a sudden she on defense😂. Would be like the stampede scene in th… https://t.co/93FujWB8Lm— Keenan Allen (@Keenan Allen) 1566924413.0
Lloyd understands the physical obstacles that go beyond just kicking the ball, but she hasn't totally given up on the idea.
"I've had other girls that have played for their youth teams or high school teams as a kicker and I've gotten messages that I've given them the confidence to go for it even more," Lloyd said. "That's the kind of message you want to hear. ... I think somebody's got to be the first one, right?"