Charlie Smyth

American football placekicker (born 2001) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Charlie Smyth (born 26 June 2001) is a Irish[1] professional American football 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.

Quick Facts No. 39 – New Orleans Saints, Position: ...
Charlie Smyth
No. 39 – New Orleans Saints
Position:Placekicker
Personal information
Born: (2001-06-26) 26 June 2001 (age 23)
Mayobridge, Newry, County Down, Northern Ireland
Height:6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Weight:210 lb (95 kg)
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Roster status:Active
Stats at Pro Football Reference
Other
Personal information
Sport Gaelic Football
Position Goalkeeper
Club(s)
Years Club
?–2024
Mayobridge
Inter-county(ies)
Years County
2023–2024
Down
Close

Gaelic football career

Smyth began playing Gaelic football when he was four years old.[2] 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.[3]

In 2021, Smyth was the goalkeeper on the Down winning team to lift the Ulster Under-20 title, their first since 2009.[4][5] He was one of three players from Down who received honours in the EirGrid All-Ireland Under-20 football awards that year.[6]

In 2023, he made his debut on the Down county football team and was a Tailteann Cup runner-up with Down.[7][8]

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.[9] He participated in the NFL Scouting Combine where he connected on 12 of 16 field goal attempts.[10] At his pro-day, he made 8 of 10 field goals, including one from 60 yards.[10] 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.[11][12][13] 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.[14] He was waived on August 27, and re-signed to the practice squad.[15][16] Smyth signed a reserve/future contract with the Saints on January 6, 2025.[17]

Personal life

Smyth is a native of Mayobridge, Newry.[18] He attended St Colman's College.[19] Smyth studied at St Mary's University College, where he was completing a master's degree in physical education.[2][20] 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.[21][22]

References

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