Charlie Smyth: 'I just thought I could skip it all and go straight to the NFL back when I was 18' 

Charlie Smyth wrote an email to the NFL asking how he would break into the sport during his teenage years - last week he signed a contract with New Orleans Saints. 

DREAM COME TRUE: Charlie Smyth wrote an email to the NFL asking how he would break into the sport during his teenage years - last week he signed a contract with New Orleans Saints. Pic: ©INPHO/USA TODAY Sports/Kirby Lee

Down goalkeeper Charlie Smyth has fulfullied a boyhood dream after signing a three-year deal with New Orleans Saints as a kicker as part of the NFL's International Player Pathway (IPP) program.

Smyth becomes the first Irishman to secure a spot with an NFL side through the IPP program. 

Speaking on Sky Sports New, the 22-year-old spoke about how he wrote to the NFL as a teenager to ask how he could breakthrough into the sport.

"I just thought I could skip it all and go straight to the NFL back when I was 18. It really has come full circle.

Charlie Smyth’s letter to the NFL ✉️

Might have taken five years, but the Irish IPP kicker is one step away from realising his NFL dream 🙌🇮🇪 pic.twitter.com/KREtDZTokl

— NFL UK & Ireland (@NFLUKIRE) March 28, 2024

"I think I always saw the ability I had in my free-kicks in Gaelic football and thought I could transfer my skills over to American football.

"Over this past six or seven months, I think I have proven I can do that and now it is just about going into training camp and showing to all the coaches I have the ability to be a starting kicker for the Saints.

"I know it is not going to be easy because they already have a very good kicker, but I feel like I have the ability to turn heads in training camp and I can't wait to show what I can do."

And now he has come full circle signing a contract with the Saints after navigating his way through the Combine in Indianapolis and an eye catching performance during Pro Day in Florida. 

"I suppose it feels a bit surreal. Coming from the position that I have where you are playing Gaelic football back home.

Check out this unreal 63-yard rocket from IPP Class of '24 prospect Charlie Smyth!! 🇮🇪

🎥 (al.exander9228/IG) pic.twitter.com/oXuHesNohc

— NFL UK & Ireland (@NFLUKIRE) March 26, 2024

"Also coming from the position as a fan, I have been a huge fan of the NFL for the past seven or eight years. To have the chance to kick in the Superdome in front of 73,000 people, I am absolutely buzzing and cannot wait to get started."

The Mayobridge native recently qualified as a national school teacher and had planned on teaching whilst continuing to play football with his club. 

"I just finished my degree last year to be a primary school teacher with Irish language.

"To be the position I am in now from last year; I thought I would be teaching then playing Gaelic football in the evenings.

"Now, a year on, I could potentially never have to go in the classroom again after only finishing my degree, a retired teacher already essentially.

"It is a bit of a mad one but that is the reality right now. I am just focused on going in and making new friends with some of my team-mates and I can have a bit of Irish to teach them.

"For me, it has just been so special because I have just been such a fan of the sport."