Mark McNamee
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born: | County Dublin, Ireland |
| Career information | |
| College: | None |
| Position: | Kicker |
| CFL draft: | 2025G: 2nd round, 13th pick |
| Career history | |
| * Offseason and/or practice squad member only | |
Mark McNamee is an Irish football kicker who is currently a free agent. In February 2025, he was announced as having joined the National Football League (NFL)'s International Player Pathway scheme. He was later selected by the Lions, in the 2025 CFL global draft.
Career
From County Dublin,[1] McNamee played as a goalkeeper in Gaelic football for Ballyboden St Enda's in Dublin.[2][3]
American football
He worked with Irish rugby player and former gridiron football kicker Tadhg Leader, who was employed by NFL UK to find a group of international kicking prospects.[4] In February 2025, he was announced as joining the NFL's International Player Pathway scheme.[5] That month, he participated in the NFL Combine where he was successful in 13 out of 14 of his field goal attempts.[6]
BC Lions
In April 2025, McNamee went undrafted in the 2025 NFL draft but was drafted in the second round by the BC Lions in the 2025 CFL global draft.[7] He was signed by the Lions on May 5, 2025.[8] McNamee featured in both preseason games for the Lions, successfully converting his one field goal attempt in each game from 32 yards versus the Calgary Stampeders and 42 yards against the Edmonton Elks. He was released on June 1, 2025.[9]
References
- ^ "Mcnamee and Bolger the latest Irishmen chasing NFL careers". BBC Sport. 25 March 2025. Retrieved 26 March 2025.
- ^ "Irish kickers named on NFL's 2025 International Player Pathway programme". Sky Sports. 27 February 2025. Retrieved 1 March 2025.
- ^ O'Shea, Kerry (28 February 2025). "Two Irish athletes named to NFL's International Player Pathway program". Irish Central. Retrieved 1 March 2025.
- ^ "Will combine tweaks mean more opportunities for specialists?". ESPN. 27 February 2025. Retrieved 1 March 2025.
- ^ "Irish duo join NFL international pathway". BBC Sport. 27 February 2025. Retrieved 1 March 2025.
- ^ "McNamee and Bolger impress at NFL Combine". RTE. 27 February 2025. Retrieved 1 March 2025.
- ^ "Bolger and McNamee picked by the BC Lions in the CFL draft". BBC Sport. 30 April 2025. Retrieved 1 May 2025.
- ^ "Lions Sign Six From CFL Draft & Duo From Global Draft". BC Lions. 5 May 2025. Retrieved 6 May 2025.
- ^ "Lions Transactions, Sunday June 1". BC Lions. 1 June 2025.