Saints’ new kicker Charlie Smyth already has a viral kick that has fans excited

The New Orleans Saints recently added a new kicker to the team, signing Charlie Smyth to a three-year contract. Smyth, an Ireland native, is a part of the NFL’s International Pathway Program— a league initiative to create a path to the NFL for international players. Smith has been training at IMG academy with other members of the program since January, and now he has his chance in the NFL.

While he’s new to the league and American football, Smyth isn’t new to making big kicks. Prior to his signing with the Saints, a clip went viral of Smyth making a 63-yard kick, with an impressive hook to negate the very windy conditions. It’s easy to see why New Orleans signed Smyth. However, with the Saints’ home games being in a the Superdome, he won’t always have to worry about fighting the conditions.

Saints sign Charlie Smyth through International Pathway Program

Just 22 years old, Smyth is 6-foot-4, 210 pounds, and a life-long athlete. He has played Gaelic football since he was four years old and most recently stared as a goal keeper. Now, he’s transitioning to the NFL, with a goal to excel in the league. Smyth knows that he will have to compete in order to do that.

The Saints also have Blake Grupe, who just finished a roller coaster of a rookie season. He started the year hot, but finished his first season making 30-of-37 field goal attempts, with some costly misses for New Orleans in close games. Because of that, the door was opened for the Saints to look elsewhere.

Elsewhere happened to be Charlie Smyth, who said that he didn’t go through the International Pathway Program to be stashed away on a practice squad. He knows that he’ll have the challenge of taking Blake Grupe’s job, but he’s not shying away from the competition.

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