FRISCO, Texas — Brandon Aubrey initially believed that being the kicker for the Dallas Cowboys would exempt him from jury duty. However, he found himself unexpectedly serving on a domestic violence trial that lasted for an entire week, culminating in a verdict that sentenced the defendant to 65 years in prison.
“It was an eye-opening, lengthy, and frustrating experience. Hearing the details was truly upsetting,” Aubrey recounted in an interview facilitated by the Cowboys’ media relations department. He expressed his relief that the process was over, although he noted the heartrending nature of the case without delving into specifics.
On Thursday, Aubrey was absent from the Dallas locker room during media availability, with a team staff member distributing a transcript of his interview to journalists later in the day. A year prior, he had set a new NFL record as a 28-year-old rookie by successfully completing the first 35 field goals of his career. His record streak of eight consecutive games with at least one field goal from beyond 50 yards came to an end last weekend during a close 30-24 defeat against San Francisco. Now, the Cowboys, sporting a 3-4 record, are set to clash with Atlanta, who sit at 5-3, this upcoming Sunday.
Given the notable start to his career, Aubrey felt that his identity as an NFL player would complicate matters during the jury selection process. He recalled the judge naming him directly and asserting his presence. Despite thoughts from his sister-in-law, a prosecutor, that his notoriety would lead to his disqualification, Aubrey was still called to serve.
Aubrey had previously postponed his jury summons but found that he could not do so again. He anticipated that his commitments at the team’s facility would serve as a valid reason to be excused when discussing conflicts with the judge. However, the judge stated that there would be no conflicts since court sessions wouldn’t run into the weekend.
“I could have been more assertive, but I chose to stay quiet, thinking I wouldn’t be selected anyway,” Aubrey admitted. Ultimately, he found himself in a situation where he had to adjust his training regimen throughout the week. He managed to squeeze in his kicking practice just before sunset the Thursday prior to the game, often kicking in dim light alongside long snapper Trent Sieg and punter Bryan Anger.
Unfortunately, he was unable to train at the team’s indoor facility due to a high school game, which made for a challenging practice session. “Kicking in the dark was difficult; Bryan had a tough time tracking the ball, so it took some getting used to,” he said. Regardless, Aubrey’s goal was to keep his leg active and maintain his physical readiness for game day.
In the match against the 49ers, Aubrey had limited opportunities, converting a single field goal attempt from 29 yards and successfully kicking all three extra points. Aubrey’s journey to the NFL is unique; he was previously a prospect in Major League Soccer and played both in high school and at Notre Dame before being scouted by the Cowboys while he was in the USFL.
During his quest to catch the eye of professional teams, Aubrey would finish his day job and race to local fields to practice kicking. Serving jury duty brought back memories of that hectic lifestyle. “It felt reminiscent of my previous schedule as a software engineer, working from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. and rushing to local fields to practice before sunset,” he reflected. “It’s a routine I’ve lived through before.”