Charlie Smyth's moment of truth arrived when the New Orleans Saints' coach Phil Galiano told him he was playing in Sunday's game against Miami, ending an intense competition for the starting spot alongside veteran kicker Cade York.
The 24-year-old had made his way to the top through the International Player Pathway, a program designed to help international players transition into the NFL. Smyth grew up playing Gaelic football in Northern Ireland but pursued American football, sending an email to the league as far back as 2019 asking for guidance on how to get involved.
Smyth's excitement turned to emotion when told he was playing against Miami Dolphins. "Whenever I heard that news, I got a little emotional," Smyth said. This moment came after intense competition and Smyth had been waiting since his teenage years to make it to the NFL.
Despite facing high expectations from fans on social media as well as from the Saints' coaching staff, Smyth kept his cool and focused on making an impact on the game. He kicked off for the Saints but only returned to play in the fourth quarter, where he successfully landed a 56-yard field goal attempt.
However, what really stood out was his onside kick attempt - something that rarely goes right in the NFL. Smyth attributed this success partly to watching videos of other players who had mastered the technique and making adjustments accordingly.
In an exclusive interview with BBC Sport NI's Thomas Niblock, Smyth revealed how he remained calm despite all the hype surrounding his debut game. "I want to give everyone at home as many days like Sunday as possible," he said. This approach, however, comes with its own challenges. After making a strong start, Smyth has had to remind himself of a self-imposed "24-hour rule." He acknowledges that while his performance was exceptional, the game is far from over and emotions can be fleeting.
Smyth's achievement marks an extraordinary milestone for someone who grew up playing Gaelic football but sought out American football. His story highlights the power of perseverance and ambition as he transitions to a new sport.
The 24-year-old had made his way to the top through the International Player Pathway, a program designed to help international players transition into the NFL. Smyth grew up playing Gaelic football in Northern Ireland but pursued American football, sending an email to the league as far back as 2019 asking for guidance on how to get involved.
Smyth's excitement turned to emotion when told he was playing against Miami Dolphins. "Whenever I heard that news, I got a little emotional," Smyth said. This moment came after intense competition and Smyth had been waiting since his teenage years to make it to the NFL.
Despite facing high expectations from fans on social media as well as from the Saints' coaching staff, Smyth kept his cool and focused on making an impact on the game. He kicked off for the Saints but only returned to play in the fourth quarter, where he successfully landed a 56-yard field goal attempt.
However, what really stood out was his onside kick attempt - something that rarely goes right in the NFL. Smyth attributed this success partly to watching videos of other players who had mastered the technique and making adjustments accordingly.
In an exclusive interview with BBC Sport NI's Thomas Niblock, Smyth revealed how he remained calm despite all the hype surrounding his debut game. "I want to give everyone at home as many days like Sunday as possible," he said. This approach, however, comes with its own challenges. After making a strong start, Smyth has had to remind himself of a self-imposed "24-hour rule." He acknowledges that while his performance was exceptional, the game is far from over and emotions can be fleeting.
Smyth's achievement marks an extraordinary milestone for someone who grew up playing Gaelic football but sought out American football. His story highlights the power of perseverance and ambition as he transitions to a new sport.
so hyped to see an international player make it to the league, especially from Northern Ireland, it's cool to see someone chasing their dreams and making history 
. gotta say though, 24-hour rule is some mental toughness right there 
. didn't expect him to keep his cool with all that hype surrounding him, but he held his nerve and nailed those kicks 
. just hoping the Saints win so he can stay in the game 
on youtube yesterday and it made me think about my own cat at home, mr whiskers, who's always getting into trouble when i'm trying to work... anyway back to charlie smyth, he seems like a really cool guy but i wonder if he's ever tried playing football with his friends back in northern ireland? 
i wish more ppl could learn from his approach to dealing with pressure & staying present in the moment 
so i think what impresses me most about charlie smyth is how calm and focused he stayed under all that hype. like, who wouldn't get caught up in the excitement and pressure of making their nfl debut? but smyth keeps it cool and just wants to give everyone a chance to experience days as great as sunday's game. and imo, his self-imposed 24-hour rule is a good reminder that we can't get ahead of ourselves and have to stay present in the moment 
what i love about his approach is that he's not letting external validation dictate his mindset - instead, he's staying true to himself and finding ways to improve. it's a great example of how success can fuel more growth 
He's like literally living his dream after all those years of hard work & dedication. I mean, going from Gaelic football to playing in the NFL is no joke! But what impresses me most is how he stayed calm under all that pressure. I can imagine it's easy to get caught up in all the hype but he's got this really cool "24-hour rule" to keep things in perspective 
. And that onside kick attempt? 
total perfection! I'm rooting for this guy all the way and can't wait to see what he does next 
He went from Gaelic footy in Northern Ireland 2 NFL stardom 
! I was on the edge of my seat watching him kick that 56-yard field goal 
. Can't wait 2 c what the future holds 4 this talented young player 
!
. It's not just about the excitement of playing for a top team like the Saints, but also about proving himself as a talented player who can hold his own against some of the best in the league.
!! He's defo got skills 
. "I want 2 give everyone at home as many days like Sunday as possible" 
. I mean, who wouldn't wanna play like that? 
his onside kick attempt was pure magic 
can't wait to see what the future holds for him 
keep doing you, Smyth! 
That's like, a whole different level of competition! 
And that onside kick attempt was INSANE!!! 
It's not easy being under that much pressure but Smyth handled it like a pro! 
. And don't even get me started on his "24-hour rule". What's next, a timer on emotions? It sounds like he's already getting too comfortable with all this hype 
. I mean, I'm glad he's making a name for himself and all, but let's not get ahead of ourselves here 
. This isn't some fairy tale where he just waltzes into the NFL and becomes an overnight sensation. It's football, it's tough, and you've got to earn it 
I mean, he's had to overcome so much but the determination and focus are truly inspiring 
. The 24-hr rule is a great tip too, reminds me to stay humble and keep it real 
and it's awesome that he's staying calm under pressure despite all the hype. I'm loving his attitude of wanting everyone at home to have a game like Sunday too 
genius move! smyth's story is like a testament to believing in yourself and going for it, even when nobody else believes you're good enough 
what's even more amazing is how calm and focused he stayed despite all the hype surrounding his debut game 
smyth shouldnt be getting all the attention for one game, there are plenty of other nfl players out there who have been doing their thing for years without anyone noticing 
I'd be a mess if I was in his shoes. But he kept it together and delivered an amazing performance