McNamee makes Packers debut a day after US arrival

McNamee signed a contract with the Green Bay Packers in July after coming through the International Player Pathway programme

Irish kicker Mark McNamee made his debut for the Green Bay Packers just a day after landing in the United States.

The Dubliner took all three kick-offs for the Packers in a 30-10 NFL pre-season defeat to the New York Jets on Saturday.

The 25-year-old was part of the 2025 International Player Pathway programme and signed a contract with the Packers in July.

Despite this, his arrival in Wisconsin was delayed as he waited to be granted a visa, which he received last week, leading to him landing in the US the night before the game.

"I landed at about 11pm [the night before the game]," he told reporters after the game.

"The Packers and the immigration lawyers have been great with me in just getting it done, it's not an easy thing to get a visa. It felt like a long time, but it was only two weeks. It was really quick and I'm really grateful to be here.

"It feels like it's the beginning, it's a good moment for me and my family."

Packers' special teams coach, Rich Bisaccia was impressed with what he saw from McNamee considering his late arrival to Green Bay.

"He got off the plane at I don't know what time it was the night before and he did a good job for us," said Bisaccia.

"We interviewed him at the Combine and he was in the top five guys we had graded, some of the international players that had been over there in the pathway programme.

"He's got a good leg, is a mature guy and held the ambience pretty good, so we'll see what the future brings."

Elsewhere, Derry native Jude McAtamney kicked a 43-yard field goal and an extra point in the New York Giants' 34-25 victory over the Buffalo Bills on Saturday.

Charlie Smyth was on target for the New Orleans Saints in their 27-13 loss at the Los Angeles Chargers, kicking a 50-yard field goal late in the game after he had earlier kicked an extra point.