MAYOBRIDGE goalkeeper Charlie Smyth received amazing news last week when, after meeting with the New Orleans Saints, he was offered a contract with the American Football team.
He has been signed to a three-year contract with the New Orleans Saints, as their kicker, after being offered the deal last Friday. He becomes the first ever Irish player to be offered a deal after coming through the International Player Pathway for the NFL.
The International Player Pathway is a programme which gives players from outside America a chance to compete for places on teams.
He took part in the NFL Combine, where teams watched the international players run through various drills. Following that Charlie attended a second event, the pro day when teams got a second chance to watch Charlie kick, and also meet him.
Based on those experience he was invited to meet New Orleans who signed him.
Charlie will now compete with the New Orleans current kicker Blake Grupe, to win a place on the starting team.
Charlie will be at St Colman’s Newry tomorrow (Thursday, 4 April) to take part in a coaching session for players keen to learn how to become an NFL kicker. The event is being run by Leader Kicking which is organised by Tadgh Leader, the man who helped Charlie to get onto the International Player Pathway.