Northern Ireland native Charlie Smyth has officially signed a three-year contract with the New Orleans Saints, securing his position on the team’s active roster. The place kicker is set to make his fourth appearance in the NFL during the upcoming match against the New York Jets on Sunday.
Smyth recently achieved a remarkable feat on the field, drilling a game-winning field goal against the Carolina Panthers last week. His impressive 47-yard kick with just two seconds remaining in the game not only secured a 20-17 victory for the Saints but also marked a significant milestone in his budding career. Since his debut against the Miami Dolphins three weeks ago, he has successfully converted four out of five field-goal attempts and made all five extra-point tries.
Reflecting on his recent success, Smyth expressed his gratitude for the opportunity. “I was just delighted to get the opportunity,” he said. He was celebrated by teammates, who chanted “Charlie, Charlie” in the locker room as he received a game ball from head coach Kellen Moore. “It was a good moment and one I’ll never forget. I’m pretty ecstatic right now, to be honest.”
At just 24 years old, Smyth has a unique background. He graduated as a primary school teacher in the summer of 2023, with his only kicking experience previously coming from playing Gaelic football as a goalkeeper with Down. Initially, he enrolled in a master’s program in Belfast but chose to pursue his dreams in the NFL instead by joining the league’s International Player Pathway Program.
“If you told me I’d be kicking in a game in the NFL, I probably would have laughed at you,” Smyth shared, reflecting on his rapid rise in the sport. “Just the way things panned out, it’s been really a dream scenario.”
The Saints’ decision to sign Smyth came after the departure of their original first-choice kicker, Blake Grupe, who has moved to the Indianapolis Colts. This left the Saints without an active kicker, paving the way for Smyth’s opportunity to shine in the NFL.
As he prepares for the upcoming game, Smyth’s journey from Northern Ireland to the NFL exemplifies the potential for unexpected paths in professional sports. Fans eagerly anticipate his next performance as he aims to continue his impressive run with the Saints.
