Charlie Smyth, a recent NFL recruit, said that signing a deal with the New Orleans Saints is “surreal.”
After completing the “Combine” in Indianapolis and a “Pro Day” in Florida, the down-and-coming young player successfully negotiated his way through the NFL’s International Player Pathway Program and signed a contract with the Saints.
Last week’s signing with New Orleans completed an incredible journey. The Mayobridge native wrote to the NFL as a teenager, inquiring as to how he might get into the league.
He also signed a three-year contract last week.
It does feel a little strange, I guess. Smyth said to Sky Sports News, “I am coming from the position that I have when you are playing Gaelic football back home.”
“As a fan, I can also say that for the past seven or eight years, I have been an avid follower of the NFL. I am ecstatic about the opportunity to kick in front of 73,000 fans at the Superdome and am eager to get going.
Charlie Smyth is headed to the Bayou after agreeing to a deal with the New Orleans Saints.
“When I was eighteen, I simply believed that I could forego everything and enter the NFL right away. It has truly completed the circle.
“I believe that I always believed I could translate my Irish football free-kick prowess to American football.
“I believe I have shown I can accomplish that over the last six or seven months. Now, all I have to do is demonstrate to all the coaches during training camp that I am capable of starting for the Saints as a kicker.
“I feel like I can turn heads at training camp, and I can’t wait to show what I can do, but I know it won’t be simple because they already have a very excellent kicker.”
“Last year, I completed my degree to become an Irish primary school teacher,” he stated.
“I assumed that I would be teaching and playing Gaelic football in the evenings, but I never imagined that I would be in this position as of last year.
“Now, a year later, having just completed my degree, I may never have to teach again; in a sense, I am already a retired teacher.
It’s a little crazy, but that’s the way things are at the moment. My main goal is to approach some of my teammates and establish new friendships while imparting some Irish language knowledge.
“Because I have always been such a lover of the sport, it has just been very special for me.”
Signed to the Saints practice squad, Smyth will receive a minimum of $216,000 each season should he stay on the club, per league regulations. But if he gets the best position, he might make a lot more money.
Blake Grupe, the kicker for the Saints right now, just finished his rookie campaign. In that campaign, he was 30 for 37 on field goals and 40 for 40 on extra points.
The 76,468-seat Caesars Superdome, home of the Saints, will host the Super Bowl in February of next year.
