Except of course for football in which the ball is frequently kicked. Traditionally the kicker function was performed as a secondary skill and alot of players knew how to kick the ball and did so during games. It was not unusual to see someone with a jersey number in the 70s line up to toe poke the pigskin. Not that unusual still for football teams from communities that do not have soccer programs. It is funny as hell to see though. And while the other team may go after the kicker sometimes that just isn't done when he also the starting offensive tackle. Coaches that can recruit soccer players, who do not randomly toe poke the ball, do it as fast as they can.
So true. Janikowski is a prime example. Played in the Daytona Beach area when he first arrived from Poland. The dude was BAAAAAD! One of the top HS players in the country. Big, fast as hell, nimble, and regularly sent kids off the field who got between his strike and the goal. Got an offer from River Plate for $1 million +. What did he do? He went to FSU and eventually became an NFL first rounder (a kicker), makes loot! More than the $1 mil offered from River. IIRC, his freshman season at FSU, during a kick return, the returner broke free and appeared headed for the TD. Out of nowhere (TV) Sebastian catches the guy on like the 10 yard line. Saves the TD. I can't stand FSU, but that was one of the most incredible things I've ever seen in a football game. Now he's the powder keg.