Jordan Pickford reveals motocross ban due to contract rules
England’s goalkeeper Jordan Pickford has disclosed that he is prohibited from participating in other sports owing to “strict rules in contracts,” a situation particularly disappointing as he expressed a desire to engage in motocross, reports BritPanorama.
Pickford conveyed his fondness for motocross, noting that his childhood friend Carlton Husband is a professional competitor in the sport. Husband achieved his first professional title in the Michelin MC Nationals MX2 Championship in 2023 and is currently active in the MX1 class for the 2025 season.
In his remarks, Pickford stated, “I am not allowed to do it as a footballer but I would love to be able to do motocross. I grew up going to watch it every week with my mates, and my best mate now rides in the British Championships.” He lamented the restrictions placed upon athletes, emphasizing, “There are strict rules in our contracts where we are not allowed to do activities like that.”
Despite these limitations, the Everton goalkeeper has maintained a strong presence at the club, having played every Premier League game this season. He has made over 300 appearances for Everton since joining the club in 2017 and has been voted Player of the Season four times, including in the previous three seasons.
Looking ahead, Pickford is poised as a frontrunner for the No 1 shirt as England prepares for the USA 2026 World Cup. He has previously represented the nation in two World Cups and two European Championships, with hopes of securing the first major international tournament trophy for England since 1966.
As the World Cup approaches, he articulated his aspirations, stating, “The more experiences you have in tournament football and see the lads winning cups and Champions League, then you can lean on that. I think, for me, to lift that World Cup or a major trophy for England would be No 1 and if I could ever get silverware at Everton that would be No 2.”
Pickford’s situation underscores the broader issue facing professional athletes, where contractual obligations often limit engagement in other competitive pursuits. While historical precedents exist for sports stars excelling in multiple fields, the modern contractual landscape tends to impose strict limitations. It serves as a reminder of the sacrifices made by athletes in the pursuit of excellence in their primary sport.
