Charlie Smyth made a key play for the New Orleans Saints by kicking a 37-yard field goal with just eight seconds left, securing a 16-14 win over the Arizona Cardinals in a preseason game on Saturday night.
This was not only Smyth’s first field goal in the NFL but also his first attempt at any level of American football.
Saints coach Dennis Allen was impressed, saying, “For him to knock it through in a pressure situation like that was cool to see.”
After the game, the Saints celebrated with music from the Irish rock band U2.
Before joining the NFL, Smyth played as a goalkeeper in Gaelic football and participated in the NFL’s International Pathway Program.
Smyth had reached out to the NFL in 2019 to request a tryout, and his request was eventually granted. He made 12 of 16 field goals at the NFL scouting combine during the offseason.
Currently, Smyth is the backup kicker for the team, with Blake Grupe expected to be the starter.
