Charlie Smyth hails support from back home after Co Down man kicks 17 points for New Orleans Saints to make NFL franchise record books
Mayobridge's Charlie Smyth celebrated a New Orleans Saints contract boost by securing his place in the American Football franchise record books with 17 points against New York Jets.
The 24-year-old has enjoyed a remarkable recent rise in the sport – with that 29-6 win his latest moment to treasure coming just days after putting pen to paper on a three-year deal to join the Saints’ 53-strong roster, having originally progressed via the NFL's International Player Pathway (IPP) route.
Five field goals left Smyth level with a franchise record as two extra points pushed his individual tally to 17 against the Jets.
And Smyth used his post-match press chat to celebrate "a great year for Irish sports” before highlighting the value of home support across his United States adventure.
“Rory McIlroy won the Masters, Shane Lowry hit the putt in the Ryder Cup, athletics at home is thriving, a couple of girls are doing really well,” said Smyth – a former Down GAA player - on the official New Orleans Saints website. “It's pretty good to be part of that, so we've just got to keep it going now."
Smyth has become just the third kicker from Northern Ireland or Republic of Ireland to feature in a regular NFL game after Jude McAtamney earlier this year and Neil O’Donoghue across 1985.
On his support from back home, Smyth said: "The support from everybody back home has been unreal...I'm super grateful for it.
"A lot of people are pushing American Football in Ireland and it's nice to play a small part in its rise and the fan culture at home.
"I'm constantly getting texts...the phone has been blowing up the past couple weeks.
"It's been unreal.
"The organisation took a chance on me a couple of weeks ago and said ‘look, despite all the lack of experience, we're still going to give him a shot and see what he's doing in the building’.
"I'm super grateful.
"And I think we're all reaping the rewards right now.
“You want to give credit to the offence and defence today.
"I think we're really starting to play some good, complementary football.
"And I got to knock a couple through, so it was nice."