Over the last few years American Football has seen a boom in worldwide recruitment, with players from across the continents now getting their chance to live the ‘American Dream.’ At the centre of this has been Irish players with Gaelic backgrounds. It’s no surprise that with their powerful physiques, strong legs and unrelenting attitudes they would be a perfect fit for both NFL punters or kickers. Players such as Dan Whelan and Charlie Smyth have made names for themselves at their respective teams.
Dan Whelan became the first Irish born and raised NFL player to make an appearance, in September 2023. He signed for the Green Bay Packers in Wisconsin, and made his debut against their arch rivals, the Chicago Bears. He played his college football at UC Davis and impressed as an Aggie, earning him a contract with the New Orleans Saints, despite going undrafted. However, he never made an appearance for the Saints, being cut in the summer of 2022. He then turned to the XFL, the second biggest league in America. As part of the DC Defenders Whelan put up historic stats at the position and very quickly reminded the NFL who he was. Since Whelan has signed for the Packers he has broken several team records and been one of the most consistent punters across the league. In 2025 his hard work was finally rewarded with a big time payday. He signed a two-year contract worth up to seven million dollars, with two million dollars guaranteed. It’s no surprise that he swapped coaches for private jets and rain for sun as he paved the way for further Irishmen to thrive in the league.
One of these men is Charlie Smyth, the current kicker on the New Orleans Saints. Smyth was born and raised in Mayobridge county Down. From the age of four Smyth spent his days playing Gaelic and quickly lent himself to the goalkeeping position. Smyth was part of the Down-U20s squad that won the Ulster Championship in 2020. Charlie would study physical education at St Mary’s College Belfast and would return to his hometown to teach. All the while he had quickly picked up a rapidly growing interest in American Football, tuning into NFL Redzone every Sunday night. In January 2024, Smyth would eventually take the leap, leaving Down behind to follow the NFL International Player Pathway Program. His skill became apparent as he was sent to the NFL scouting combine, showing his skills among the best of the best from around the world. Similarly to Whelan, Smyth would go undrafted but was picked up by the Saints on a minimum contract. Smyth would make his debut in 2025, scoring a staggering fifty-six yard field goal against the Miami Dolphins. Since then Smyth has solidified himself as the starting kicker, becoming one of the most reliable players in the league, even adding a game winner versus the division rival Carolina Panthers on his resume. Just like Whelan, Smyth signed a three-year contract worth just under three million dollars, giving him a salary of around a million dollars a year.
With the growth of the NFL across Europe in recent years, its no surprise that Gaelic players are laying down their gloves to lace up cleats. With the promise of millions and being on the world stage, the base of Gaelic football sets players up for success in the NFL. With Commissioner Roger Goodell continuing to expand the league across the world, and the ever-growing desire for international franchises; it is only a matter of time before Irish players play a dominant role kicking across the league.
