NEW ORLEANS (AP) 鈥� Barely 27 months after he kicked an American football for the first time, Northern Ireland native Charlie Smyth drilled a game-winning field goal in the NFL.
His gave the New Orleans Saints their first lead and handed the Carolina Panthers that was as excruciating for them as it was exhilarating for him.
鈥淚 was just delighted to get the opportunity,鈥� said Smyth, who was serenaded with chants of 鈥淐harlie, Charlie鈥� in the locker room after receiving a game ball from coach Kellen Moore. 鈥淚t was a good moment and one I鈥檒l never forget. I鈥檓 pretty ecstatic right now, to be honest.鈥�
The 24-year-old Smyth graduated college as a primary school teacher in the summer of 2023, with his only kicking experience coming in Gaelic football as a goalkeeper. He signed up for a master鈥檚 program in Belfast, but ended up pursuing the NFL instead, joining the league鈥檚 International Player Pathway Program.
鈥淚f you told me I鈥檇 be kicking in a game in the NFL, I probably would have laughed at you,鈥� he said. 鈥淛ust the way things panned out, it鈥檚 been really a dream scenario.鈥�
During the 2024 preseason, Smyth hit a 37-yard field goal with 5 seconds left to beat Arizona and ended up on the practice squad. After the Saints cut Blake Grupe three weeks ago, Smyth was promoted to the active roster for the first time in Week 13 at Miami, where he made a 56-yard field goal in his first attempt.
That one came in a loss. His latest kick gave the Saints their second consecutive win after they started 2-10.
鈥淭he outside world would say there鈥檚 a lot of pressure on you, but I鈥檇 like to say I embrace those moments,鈥� Smyth said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 just up to you to go out and execute everything you鈥檝e been practicing the last two years.鈥�
His teammates felt his confidence.
鈥淲e had no doubt,鈥� said rookie quarterback Tyler Shough, who guided the Saints 62 yards to set up Smyth鈥檚 kick. 鈥淗e does that every single day in practice. You鈥檝e got to have a level of cold-bloodedness to play that position. I think everybody knew what the result was going to be.鈥�
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