As the first Irish participant in the NFL’s International Player Pathway Program to join a team, down goalkeeper Charlie Smyth has inked a deal with the New Orleans Saints.
Pro Football Ireland reports validate expectations that the 22-year-old Smyth’s invitation from the Saints earlier in the week will result in a longer-term contract.
Smyth made an impression at the Indianapolis Combine earlier this month, making 12 of 16 field goals. Then, at a Florida Pro Day last week, he converted eight of ten kicks, which led to the New Orleans offer.
In a video that went viral online throughout the week, he also demonstrated his excellent curling goal-kicking skills during practice. This is noteworthy coming from a player who only started kicking NFL footballs in August.
International players are now required to be kept on the practice squad of every NFL team, and Smyth has seized this chance.
It coincides with the signing of former Wales rugby player Louis Rees-Zammit to the Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs, a US report states.
COMMERCIAL
Rees-Zammit made an impression while on the NFL’s international player pathway, and he is expected to sign a three-year contract with guaranteed money, according to some reports. He will likely join the Chiefs practice squad.
More to come…