The National Football League (NFL) has embarked on a deliberate strategy to expand its global footprint in recent years. One of the areas where it is making significant strides is Ireland.
While the NFL has never hosted an official game or tournament on Irish soil, American football is still experiencing a surge in popularity on the Emerald Isle.
Why Is Ireland Standing Out?
Ireland’s love affair with American football is not a recent development. Interest has been steadily climbing for years, but recent months have seen a significant uptick.
It likely has something to do with the increasing number of talented Irish athletes. They’re transitioning from Irish rugby and Gaelic football to pursue their NFL dreams.
Irish fans are eager to see their favorite teams live in action. High attendance at the September college game in Dublin’s Aviva Stadium and November’s NFL Fan Watch Party in Croke Park are testaments to this growing passion.
The NFL has recognized this potential and is actively cultivating an Irish fanbase. They’re forging a strong connection through strategic partnerships and grassroots initiatives amongst others.
Ireland already boasts a homegrown NFL star in Green Bay Packers punter Dan Whelan. More Irish athletes are lining up to follow his path.
One such player who has defied the odds to chase his NFL dream is Charlie Smyth. His remarkable journey from Gaelic football to American football is one for the history books.
Smyth’s Story is One of Perseverance
The story behind Irish IPP kicker Charlie Smyth signing with the @Saints 🇮🇪
— NFL UK (@NFLUK) April 12, 2024
Watch The Pathway: Episode 10 on the NFL UK Youtube channel now: https://t.co/8sWMU4N0I5 pic.twitter.com/6IwJSpgNqH
For five years, he dreamt of kicking a ball across the field but not in Gaelic football. The NFL’s International Player Pathway Program (IPP) finally opened the door, leading him to a series of trials.
Widely considered one of the finest fast-rising prodigies in the game, Smyth’s talent impressed the New Orleans Saints who signed him to their 90-man roster.
However, the Irishman still has a long way to go before linking up with the core squad. Smyth signed a three-year deal with the Saints. They’re offering him a shot at a coveted 17th slot on the practice squad reserved for IPP participants.
While there’s no guarantee he will make the team or beat out current kicker Blake Grupe, Smyth has refused to throw in the towel.
Grupe won the kicking job in training camp last summer, and the Saints traded longtime kicker Wil Lutz to the Denver Broncos as a result.
However, with his form and reliability slowly rolling down the cliff, the door is open for Smyth to swoop in. The Irishman is determined to not only make the 53-man roster but ultimately become the Saints’ starting kicker.
Smyth’s journey has already captured the imagination of Irish fans and bookmakers in Ireland. If he cracks the 53-man roster, there could be a surge of NFL interest in betting apps in Ireland, with punters throwing their support behind their local hero and the Saints.
Others Are Coming
Smyth isn’t the only Irishman aiming to upset the odds by chasing the American football dream. Rory Beggan and Mark Jackson are also in contention to be drafted by one of the top teams.
Beggan and Jackson spent six weeks trying to become NFL kickers. There’s plenty of optimism that they could follow in Smyth’s footsteps by securing a move to one of the top franchises.
One of the primary avenues through which the NFL is deepening its connection with Ireland is through the annual NFL London Games.
Held at iconic venues such as Wembley Stadium and Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, the games provide Irish fans with a unique opportunity to experience the excitement and spectacle of live NFL action.
With Ireland’s proximity to the United Kingdom, these games serve as a convenient and accessible way for Irish fans to engage with the sport they love.
The Steelers Getting Involved
The dynamic is poised to get even more exciting for lovers of American football in Ireland. The Pittsburgh Steelers preparing to host their first-ever American football ‘Kicking Clinic’ on the Emerald Isle.
The event will be held at the Sport Ireland Campus in Dublin. Hosted by former Steelers players, it will provide aspiring Irish kickers and punters with real-time coaching and instruction.
The Jacksonville Jaguars are also playing a key role in the alliance between the NFL and Ireland. Their plans are to hand an Irish fan the chance to announce one of their picks for the 2024 NFL Draft.
Like the Steelers, the Jaguars also earned the right to market into Ireland last year. They are committed to grassroots investment, teaching over 100 kids the fundamental techniques of the sport.
The NFL is really stepping up its game when it comes to connecting with the passionate Irish fanbase. They are constantly on the lookout for creative ways to engage with supporters.
These events not only serve to deepen the bond between the NFL and its Irish fan base but also create deeper and lasting connections that are not bound by physical distances.
Make sure to visit Belly Up Sports for more content across the sports world.
Featured Image: Amy Lemus/NurPhoto via Getty Images
