Charlie Smyth Explained

Charlie Smyth
Current Team:New Orleans Saints
Number:39
Position:Placekicker
Birth Date:21 November 2001
Birth Place:Mayobridge, Newry, County Down, Northern Ireland
Height Ft:6
Height In:4
Weight Lb:210
Pastteams:
Status:Active
Module:
Embed:yes
Sport:Gaelic Football
Code:Football
County:Down
Province:Ulster
Club:Mayobridge
Clyears:?–2024
Clposition:Goalkeeper
Counties:Down
Icyears:2023–2024
Icposition:Goalkeeper

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

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

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. 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

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]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: New Orleans Saints sign kicker Charlie Smyth. New Orleans Saints. 29 March 2024. 30 March 2024.
  2. News: "I really felt like I belonged there..." Charlie Smyth hoping for NFL call after impressing at Combine. The Irish News. Andy. Watters. 8 March 2024. 30 March 2024.
  3. News: Down overcome Monaghan in Ulster U20 final on emotional night in Armagh. RTÉ News. Francis. Mooney. 31 July 2021. 30 March 2024.
  4. News: Charlie Smyth says 'this is where the real work starts' after signing New Orleans Saints deal. BBC News. 2 April 2024.
  5. News: All-Ireland champions Offaly lead the way as 8 counties honoured in U20 football awards. The42.ie. Fintan. O'Toole. 1 September 2021. 30 March 2024.
  6. News: Down GAA star Charlie Smyth taking inspiration from Green Bay Packers punter as NFL dream moves closer. Belfast Live. Michael. McQuaid. 18 January 2024. 30 March 2024.
  7. News: Down goalkeeper Charlie Smyth to join Rory Beggan and Mark Jackson at American Football trials. The Irish News. Andy. Watters. 15 December 2023. 30 March 2024.
  8. News: Irish trio of Gaelic footballers fly out to kick & chase their NFL dream. RTÉ News. Damian. Lawlor. 25 January 2024. 30 March 2024.
  9. Web site: Five Things to Know about Saints kicker Charlie Smyth . 1 April 2024 . www.neworleanssaints.com . en-US.
  10. News: Down GAA goalkeeper Charlie Smyth becomes NFL player with three-year New Orleans Saints deal. Irish Independent. Shane. Brennan. 29 March 2024. 30 March 2024.
  11. News: Down's Charlie Smyth joins the New Orleans Saints on a three-year contract. RTÉ News. Damian. Lawlor. 29 March 2024. 30 March 2024.
  12. News: Charlie Smyth: Gaelic footballer gets NFL deal with New Orleans Saints. BBC News. 29 March 2024. 30 March 2024.
  13. Web site: Kicker Charlie Smyth received NFL reply he sought from New Orleans Saints. New Orleans Saints. John. DeShazier. 1 April 2024. 2 April 2024.
  14. News: Down goalkeeper Charlie Smyth signs with New Orleans Saints. The Irish Times. Nathan. Johns. 28 March 2024. 30 March 2024.
  15. News: "The biggest opportunity I'll ever get..." Down goalie Charlie Smyth chasing American Football dream. The Irish News. Andy. Watters. 1 February 2024. 30 March 2024. subscription.
  16. News: Everything you need to know about Charlie Smyth, the GAA player turned NFL star. SportsJOE.ie. Lee. Costello. 30 March 2024. 30 March 2024.
  17. News: Charlie Smyth: GAA goalkeeper ready to show he can be NFL starting kicker for New Orleans Saints. Sky Sports. 2 April 2024.
  18. News: 'I thought I would be teaching, then playing Gaelic football' – Charlie Smyth on 'surreal' feeling of his NFL deal. Irish Independent. Donnchadh. Boyle. 2 April 2024. 2 April 2024.

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