Josh Lambo just wrapped up a unique career.
Lambo, 32, announced Friday that he is retiring from professional sports after playing both soccer and American football in the United States.
“Today, I officially retire from pro sports. 4 years in MLS and 7 in the NFL have led me to things I could only dream of, and now I want to help others accomplish their goals as I become a speaker and author,” Lambo tweeted. “Thank you to the fans that supported me and the teammates I worked [with].”
After playing goalkeeper at the IMG Academy in high school, Lambo was selected by FC Dallas in the first round of the 2008 MLS SuperDraft. His MLS career never took off, but Lambo did make four appearances for FC Tampa Bay (now known as the Rowdies) while on loan in 2010.
Lambo also made two appearances for the U.S. U-17 national team and four starts for the U-20 team. After his soccer career stalled, Lambo attended Texas A&M University as a placekicker from 2012-2014.
The GK-turned-K later joined the San Diego Chargers as an undrafted free agent in 2015. He went on to spend eight years in the NFL, converting 128 of his 147 field goal attempts with a career long of 59 yards. Lambo scored 530 points in the NFL and earned second-team All-Pro recognition in 2019.
Lambo spent time with four NFL teams, including a five-year run with the Jacksonville Jaguars from 2017 to 2021.
Several NFL wide receivers have dabbled in soccer, from Odell Beckham Jr. to Chad Johnson to Allen Lazard — but the most natural position that translates between both sports is kicker.
Mexico’s Guillermo Ochoa kicked 55-yard field goals with ease at the Houston Texans’ practice facility last summer. The USMNT’s once-capped Tanner Tessmann has also dabbled in gridiron football’s kicking duties.
The most notable fútbol-to-football success story is Toni Fritsch, who won three Austrian league titles with Rapid Vienna before going on to play 14 seasons in the NFL as a kicker, winning a Super Bowl with the Dallas Cowboys.
Lambo’s soccer career didn’t go the way he hoped, but a 12-year career in pro sports is no small feat. Best wishes to him in his post-playing endeavors.
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