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Saints Rookie Kicker Charlie Smyth Shines in His First NFL Appearance – And His “Legendary 66-Yard Moment” Has the Entire League Paying Attention

New Orleans, Louisiana – 12/01/2025

The New Orleans Saints may have fallen 21–17 to the Miami Dolphins, but the most memorable performance of the night belonged to a rookie who had never attempted an NFL kick before: Charlie Smyth, the Northern Ireland–born kicker who turned his debut into a moment the league won’t forget anytime soon.

Smyth learned he would be the starting kicker on Friday, after edging out Cade York in a tight competition. The news came so late that his family had to scramble through a 23-hour flight just to witness his first NFL game. Everyone assumed Smyth would ease into the moment with a routine PAT. Instead, the NFL welcomed him with a trial by fire: a 66-yard field goal attempt in the fourth quarter, with the Saints trailing and their hopes hanging in the balance.

Charlie Smyth: Former Down goalkeeper elevated to New Orleans Saints'  active roster before NFL debut - BBC Sport

It wasn’t a kick for a rookie.
It was a kick for someone ready to etch his name into history.

Smyth stepped into position with ice-cold composure, swung through with authority, and watched the ball slice through the Miami night before landing cleanly between the uprights. The 66-yard make sent the stadium into shock and breathed life into New Orleans’ comeback push.

After the game, Smyth recounted the moment that changed the trajectory of his career:

“When I looked up at that 66-yard distance, I knew I had no room for hesitation. Two years of quiet grinding, countless days waiting for one chance… everything poured into that kick. And when the ball left my foot, I felt exactly what I’d been waiting for — that this moment was going to change everything.”

As if the legendary field goal wasn’t enough, Smyth stunned everyone again with a perfect onside kick in the final minutes, driving the ball low and spinning it directly into the hands of Devaughn Vele to give the Saints one last chance. Quarterback Tyler Shough put it simply: “Ice cold.”

The Saints didn’t return home with a victory, but they discovered something far more valuable: a rookie kicker with a steel heart, fearless poise, and a debut that already feels like the beginning of something special.

Charlie Smyth didn’t just arrive in the NFL.
He showed up — and immediately left a mark that won’t fade.

Seahawks Owner Jody Allen Calls On NFL To Review Results After Legend Earl Thomas Is Left Off The 2026 Hall Of Fame List – And The Reason Behind It Has The Seahawks Community Furious.
Seattle, Washington – January 2026 In a stunning turn of events, Seattle Seahawks owner Jody Allen has publicly called on the NFL to review the results of the 2026 Pro Football Hall of Fame voting, after legendary safety Earl Thomas was shockingly left off the list for induction in his first year of eligibility. The decision has sparked outrage within the Seahawks community, with fans and former players alike questioning how one of the most impactful defenders of his generation could be overlooked. Earl Thomas, a key member of the "Legion of Boom" defense, failed to secure enough votes from the Hall of Fame committee to earn a place in Canton. Despite his incredible resume — including two All-Pro selections, three Pro Bowls, and one Super Bowl title — Thomas, known for his game-changing ability and leadership on the field, was not selected in his first year of eligibility. In response to the snub, Jody Allen expressed her disappointment, stating that Thomas’ contributions to the team and the NFL cannot be ignored. “With everything Earl Thomas has given — to this team, to this community, to the history of the NFL — seeing him left off the Hall of Fame list in his first year is truly deeply disappointing. If it’s not Earl Thomas, I honestly don’t know who else deserves it more. The NFL needs to reevaluate how they measure the value of a legend like him,” Allen said in a public statement. Thomas’ exclusion has ignited widespread anger within the Seahawks community, with many fans and former teammates rallying behind the belief that Thomas’ achievements — including his pivotal role in Super Bowl XLVIII and his consistent performance as one of the NFL's top safeties — should have made him a first-ballot inductee. The backlash has only grown as more details about the voting process emerge, with many questioning the criteria used to evaluate players' legacies. For Allen and the Seahawks, this issue goes beyond one player’s omission. It highlights the need for a more thorough review of the Hall of Fame voting process, particularly in honoring players who have had a major impact on the history of their teams and the league. As the NFL looks to address this controversy, the message from the Seahawks community is loud and clear: Earl Thomas belongs in the Hall of Fame, and his exclusion is a decision that demands reconsideration.