New England Patriots Sign Kicker Who Never Played College Ball

Josh Gable has played professional soccer in Europe and indoor football in the US, but he may be best known for the viral "trick-shot kicks" he posts to social media, per ESPN. And now those impressive skills have landed the 29-year-old, who never played college football, a spot on the roster of an NFL team. The New England Patriots signed Gable to their practice squad, and while it's unlikely he'll appear in an actual game any time in the near future, ESPN notes that his "versatility to help handle kickoffs, punts, and field goals in practice ... could take some strain off [placekicker Nick] Folk and punter Jake Bailey." The sports site thinks the Pats, who have gone through four kickers this season, will also be evaluating him to possibly take on the top job in the future.

CBS Sports notes Gable, who was a kicker for three years in high school, can make "insane trick field goals," often without a holder or a kicking tee; Business Insider calls his kicks "mesmerizing." He has videos showing him making 65-yard field goals five times in a row (the NFL record is 64 yards), and USA Today reports he's made field goals up to 80 yards using a tee. The Patriots previously invited him to a rookie minicamp tryout in 2017, and he's tried out for other NFL teams in recent years as well. (After the Jets' kicker bombed, fans turned to a female soccer star.)