The Kansas City Chiefs signed a European rugby player to a three-year contract on Thursday. And on Friday, the New Orleans Saints followed their lead, bringing in an athlete from another sport thanks to a viral kicking video from Irish goalkeeper Charlie Smyth.
Smyth has been a goalkeeper for the Gaelic football club in Ireland. But recently, he has been making steps to translate his skills into American football.
He showcased his skillset in front of scouts at the NFL Scouting Combine and South Florida Pro Day. But perhaps his biggest endorsement came from a now-viral video where he nailed a 63-yard kick with some curve that you have to see to believe.
Check out this unreal 63-yard rocket from IPP Class of '24 prospect Charlie Smyth!! 🇮🇪
🎥 (al.exander9228/IG) pic.twitter.com/oXuHesNohc
— NFL UK (@NFLUK) March 26, 2024
This was enough to get the attention of the New Orleans Saints, who signed him to compete for the starting kicking position this coming season.
A new #Saints kicker… https://t.co/fBYQMYA25H
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 29, 2024
Smyth will compete for the starting job against former Notre Dame product Blake Grupe, who made 30 of 37 field goal attempts in his first NFL season.
At the very least, Smyth will be some good competition for the starting kicker spot in New Orleans. But if his viral video is any indication, he could very well become the kicker of the future for the Saints in no time.
About Reice Shipley
Reice Shipley is a staff writer for Comeback Media that graduated from Ithaca College with a degree in Sports Media. He previously worked at Barrett Sports Media and is a fan of all things Syracuse sports.