Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jun 28, 2026

Mark McNamee

Mark McNamee is an Irish professional gridiron football kicker for the BC Lions of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He was previously a member of the Green Bay Packers as part of the National Football League (NFL)'s International Player Pathway program.

Last revised
Jun 28, 2026
Read time
≈ 3 min
Length
742 w
Citations
20
Source
Wikipedia ↗
Mark McNamee
No. 70 – BC Lions
PositionKicker
Roster status 6-game injured list
CFL statusGlobal
Personal information
Born (1999-10-11) 11 October 1999
County Dublin, Ireland
Listed height6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Listed weight210 lb (95 kg)
Career information
CollegeNone
NFL draft2025: undrafted
CFL draft2025G: 2nd round, 13th overall pick
Career history
* Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Mark McNamee (born 11 October 1999) is an Irish professional gridiron football kicker for the BC Lions of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He was previously a member of the Green Bay Packers as part of the National Football League (NFL)'s International Player Pathway program.

Career

From County Dublin,1 McNamee received a Higher Certificate in business from Technological University Dublin2 while playing as a goalkeeper in Gaelic football for Ballyboden St Enda's in Dublin.34 He worked in software sales while continuing to play Gaelic football.2

A longtime watcher of NFL games on Sky Sports, McNamee became interested in playing American football in 2023 at the age of 24. No longer eligible for college football,2 he worked with Irish rugby player and former gridiron football kicker Tadhg Leader, employed by NFL UK to find international kicking prospects.5 In February 2025, he was announced as joining the NFL's International Player Pathway (IPP) scheme.6 That month, he participated in the NFL Combine where he was successful in 13 out of 14 of his field goal attempts.7

BC Lions (first stint)

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.8 He was signed by the Lions on 5 May 2025.9 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 1 June 2025,10 but told that the team might re-sign him in September.11

Green Bay Packers

McNamee was planning to attend John Carney's kicking clinic in San Diego when the Green Bay Packers's Alex Hale was injured. On 22 July 2025, McNamee signed with the Packers, replacing Hale as the team's IPP roster exemption.122 The team cut McNamee from the final 53-man roster on 26 August,13 but signed him to the practice squad on 27 August.14 On 14 October, McNamee was released from the practice squad.15

BC Lions (second stint)

On December 11, 2025, McNamee re-signed with the Lions.16 He saw game time in both pre-season matches against the Edmonton Elks and the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, finishing perfect on his four field goal attempts and two converts over the two games. On June 12, 2026, McNamee was placed on the Lions' 6-game injured list to start the 2026 CFL season.17

References

References

  1. "Mcnamee and Bolger the latest Irishmen chasing NFL careers". BBC Sport. 25 March 2025. Retrieved 26 March 2025.
  2. Nickel, Lori (25 August 2025). "Irish kicker Mark McNamee is hopeful for rare chance with the Green Bay Packers". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved 26 August 2025.
  3. "Irish kickers named on NFL's 2025 International Player Pathway programme". Sky Sports. 27 February 2025. Retrieved 1 March 2025.
  4. O'Shea, Kerry (28 February 2025). "Two Irish athletes named to NFL's International Player Pathway program". Irish Central. Retrieved 1 March 2025.
  5. "Will combine tweaks mean more opportunities for specialists?". ESPN. 27 February 2025. Retrieved 1 March 2025.
  6. "Irish duo join NFL international pathway". BBC Sport. 27 February 2025. Retrieved 1 March 2025.
  7. "McNamee and Bolger impress at NFL Combine". RTE. 27 February 2025. Retrieved 1 March 2025.
  8. "Bolger and McNamee picked by the BC Lions in the CFL draft". BBC Sport. 30 April 2025. Retrieved 1 May 2025.
  9. "Lions Sign Six From CFL Draft & Duo From Global Draft". BC Lions. 5 May 2025. Retrieved 6 May 2025.
  10. "Lions Transactions, Sunday June 1". BC Lions. 1 June 2025.
  11. Foley, Michael (2 August 2025). "'Pack your bags, you're going to Green Bay' — goalkeeper's journey to NFL". The Times. Retrieved 26 August 2025.
  12. "Packers announce roster moves". packers.com. Retrieved 23 July 2025.
  13. Casey, Gavan (27 August 2025). "NFL dream continues for Irish kickers Smyth, McAtamney and McNamee". The 42. Retrieved 27 August 2025.
  14. "Packers sign 13 players to practice squad". packers.com. Retrieved 27 August 2025.
  15. "Packers announce roster move Oct. 14, 2025". packers.com. 14 October 2025. Retrieved 15 October 2025.
  16. "Mark McNamee". BC Lions. Retrieved 20 January 2026.
  17. "BC Lions Transactions". BC Lions. Retrieved 13 June 2026.