This weekend, the New Orleans Saints will play the Tennessee Titans in their final NFL pre-season game on Sunday, and Irish eyes will be keenly watching Ireland’s as Charlie Smyth, a Down native, aiming to become their starting kicker.
Smyth, a former GAA player for Down, applied for the NFL’s International Player Pathway (IPP) programme, which has also seen the likes of Wales rugby star Louis Rees-Zammit become a running back and kickoff specialist for the Kansas City Chiefs.
The 22-year-old attended kicking clinics last year run by Tadhg Leader of Leader Kicking and impressed peers at the clinics enough to earn a chance at the NFL combine, where the best and upcoming talent battle it out to make it to the NFL.
The former Down goalkeeper did so well in March that he signed a three-year deal with the Saints.
Fast forward to pre-season: Smyth has been part of the Saints’ pre-season roster and started pre-season games against the Arizona Cardinals and San Francisco 49ers.
Last week, Smyth went viral for his kick against the Cardinals. In the final moments of the game, the Irishman landed his first-ever kick in an NFL game, and the 37-yard field goal meant his side beat the Arizona Cardinals 16-14 in a pre-season contest.
“That was a very cool moment for Charlie Smyth..
You see the emotions on the sideline and it would be awesome if he could win that job”@AdamSchefter #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/clyINPcPpU
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) August 12, 2024
“That’s when it starts to hit you, playing these big NFL teams,” the Mayobridge man told BBC Sport NI last week.
“To imagine a year ago, when I’d never kicked a football before, to where I am now, there’s too many people to thank at this stage.
“I feel like the luckiest man alive right now. It’s unbelievable.
“To be out here and showcase yourself on the stage that it is, in the world’s biggest league—it doesn’t get much better than that.”
Smyth will now battle it out with starting kicker Blake Grupe for a spot this season. Who knows what could happen?
He may get another chance to cement his status this Sunday when the New Orleans Saints face the Tennessee Titans in their final NFL pre-season game.
If you want to see how Smyth gets on this weekend, the action is on DAZN.
Titans vs. Saints date, start time:
- Date: Sunday, September 10
- Kick-off: 1 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. UK / 7 p.m. CET