Charlie Smyth says 'this is where the real work starts' after signing New Orleans Saints deal
- Published
Smyth earned his opportunity with the Saints after impressing at the NFL Combine and pro-day trials
Charlie Smyth says "this is where the real work starts" after signing a three-year contract with the NFL's New Orleans Saints.
The 22-year-old, who has come from Gaelic football, secured a deal last week after impressing at trials.
Smyth hopes to make the Saints' roster before the start of the 2024 NFL season in September.
"I feel like I've got the ability to kick in this league and to kick for the Saints," said the Down GAA goalkeeper.
"It's been an unbelievable journey just to get to this point, but now I know I'm in the league, the Saints have signed me, but now it's time to get to work. This is where the real work starts."
As an Ulster Under-20 Championship winner with Down in 2021, Smyth had a bright future in Gaelic football, the sport he has played his entire life.
However, after deciding to pursue his dream of playing in the NFL, he started to train with Tadhg Leader, a kicking coach for the NFL international player pathway (IPP) programme.
Along with Rory Beggan, Wicklow's Mark Jackson and former Connacht rugby player Darragh Leader, Smyth attended the NFL Combine in Indianapolis in early March.
Having impressed at the Combine and at pro-day trials, Mayobridge native Smyth was invited to the Saints' training facility before signing the contract.
Over the summer, Smyth will compete with current Saints kicker Blake Grupe for the spot in the active roster.
'I'm not here to be with the practice squad'
Smyth won an Ulster Under-20 Championship with Down in 2021
Those who miss out on the 53-player active roster are either released or retained on the practice squad, where players can still earn sizeable salaries and be promoted to the active roster during the course of the season.
However, while he concedes there is a lot of work to be done to make the Saints team, Smyth says he is determined to make the starting team and blaze a trail for Irish youngsters harbouring similar ambitions.
"I want the starting job, that's why I'm here," said Smyth, who was speaking to American reporters remotely on Monday after returning home to Mayobridge last week.
"I felt like this is a great opportunity to do that. I know obviously Blake Grupe is an unbelievable kicker of a football as well and I know it's going to be very difficult."
Smyth, who is the first Irish player to sign with an NFL team via the IPP, added: "But it's the mindset I have, I don't want to be one of those boys who comes through the IPP to sit on the practice squad for three years, earn a wee bit of money and then go back home.
"That's not why I'm here. I want to do this because I want to play. We've played Gaelic football all our lives for no pay. We do it for the passion and that's what I'm doing.
"For me, it's not about money, it's about being the best version of myself and representing my country on a world stage and inspiring younger lads to follow suit."