| No. 39 – New Orleans Saints | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Position: | Placekicker | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born: | 21 November 2001 Mayobridge, Newry, County Down, Northern Ireland | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height: | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight: | 210 lb (95 kg) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| * Offseason and/or practice squad member only | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Roster status: | Active | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Charlie Smyth (born 21 November 2001) is an Irish multi-sport athlete who plays as a placekicker for the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League (NFL). He has previously played Gaelic football as a goalkeeper at senior level for the Down county team, before joining the NFL's International Player Pathway Program (IPPP) in 2024.
Gaelic football career
[edit]Smyth began playing Gaelic football when he was four years old.[1] He first came to prominence as the goalkeeper for Down's Ulster Under-20 Championship winning team in 2020, scoring in every game of the campaign that ended at the All-Ireland semi-final stage.[2]
In 2021, Smyth was the goalkeeper on the Down winning team to lift the Ulster Under-20 title, their first since 2009.[3][4] He was one of three players from Down who received honours in the EirGrid All-Ireland Under-20 football awards that year.[5]
In 2023, he made his debut on the Down county football team and was a Tailteann Cup runner-up with Down.[6][7]
American football career
[edit]In January 2024, Smyth began training to play in the National Football League (NFL) via the National Football League's International Player Pathway Program.[8] He participated in the NFL Scouting Combine where he connected on 12 of 16 field goal attempts.[9] At his pro-day, he made 8 of 10 field goals, including one from 60 yards.[9] On 29 March 2024, he signed a three-year contract with the New Orleans Saints, becoming the first GAA player to sign an NFL contract.[10][11][12] Smyth had sent an email to the NFL in July 2019 asking for a tryout hoping to see if his Gaelic football skills could transfer to the NFL.[13]
Personal life
[edit]Smyth is a native of Mayobridge, Newry.[14] He attended St Colman's College.[15] Smyth studied at St Mary's University College, where he was completing a master's degree in physical education.[1][16] Prior to that, Smyth had trained as a primary school teacher with Irish language and was ready to teach while also playing GAA with his club Mayobridge.[17][18]
References
[edit]- ^ a b "New Orleans Saints sign kicker Charlie Smyth". New Orleans Saints. 29 March 2024. Retrieved 30 March 2024.
- ^ Watters, Andy (8 March 2024). ""I really felt like I belonged there..." Charlie Smyth hoping for NFL call after impressing at Combine". The Irish News. Retrieved 30 March 2024.
- ^ Mooney, Francis (31 July 2021). "Down overcome Monaghan in Ulster U20 final on emotional night in Armagh". RTÉ News. Retrieved 30 March 2024.
- ^ "Charlie Smyth says 'this is where the real work starts' after signing New Orleans Saints deal". BBC News. 2 April 2024.
- ^ O'Toole, Fintan (1 September 2021). "All-Ireland champions Offaly lead the way as 8 counties honoured in U20 football awards". The42.ie. Retrieved 30 March 2024.
- ^ McQuaid, Michael (18 January 2024). "Down GAA star Charlie Smyth taking inspiration from Green Bay Packers punter as NFL dream moves closer". Belfast Live. Retrieved 30 March 2024.
- ^ Watters, Andy (15 December 2023). "Down goalkeeper Charlie Smyth to join Rory Beggan and Mark Jackson at American Football trials". The Irish News. Retrieved 30 March 2024.
- ^ Lawlor, Damian (25 January 2024). "Irish trio of Gaelic footballers fly out to kick & chase their NFL dream". RTÉ News. Retrieved 30 March 2024.
- ^ a b "Five Things to Know about Saints kicker Charlie Smyth". www.neworleanssaints.com. Retrieved 1 April 2024.
- ^ Brennan, Shane (29 March 2024). "Down GAA goalkeeper Charlie Smyth becomes NFL player with three-year New Orleans Saints deal". Irish Independent. Retrieved 30 March 2024.
- ^ Lawlor, Damian (29 March 2024). "Down's Charlie Smyth joins the New Orleans Saints on a three-year contract". RTÉ News. Retrieved 30 March 2024.
- ^ "Charlie Smyth: Gaelic footballer gets NFL deal with New Orleans Saints". BBC News. 29 March 2024. Retrieved 30 March 2024.
- ^ DeShazier, John (1 April 2024). "Kicker Charlie Smyth received NFL reply he sought from New Orleans Saints". New Orleans Saints. Retrieved 2 April 2024.
- ^ Johns, Nathan (28 March 2024). "Down goalkeeper Charlie Smyth signs with New Orleans Saints". The Irish Times. Retrieved 30 March 2024.
- ^ Watters, Andy (1 February 2024). ""The biggest opportunity I'll ever get..." Down goalie Charlie Smyth chasing American Football dream". The Irish News. Retrieved 30 March 2024.
- ^ Costello, Lee (30 March 2024). "Everything you need to know about Charlie Smyth, the GAA player turned NFL star". SportsJOE.ie. Retrieved 30 March 2024.
- ^ "Charlie Smyth: GAA goalkeeper ready to show he can be NFL starting kicker for New Orleans Saints". Sky Sports. 2 April 2024.
- ^ Boyle, Donnchadh (2 April 2024). "'I thought I would be teaching, then playing Gaelic football' – Charlie Smyth on 'surreal' feeling of his NFL deal". Irish Independent. Retrieved 2 April 2024.