Anyone could have taken the time to view recordings of the events that unfolded at the Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis last Sunday night, British time. The line-up included Rory Beggan from Monaghan, Mark Jackson from Wicklow and Charlie Smyth of Down, in addition to seven elite kickers from the American college football realm. They were positioned before a multitude of NFL coaches, being tasked with scoring goals from varying distances.
This took place at an occasion known as the Combine, essentially an opportunity for youthful aspirants, most of whom are outstanding athletes in US college American football, to demonstrate their skills to all 32 NFL teams. Every team has representatives keenly observing every moment of the recording, all relayed live with comprehensive coverage and fervent enthusiasm on the NFL Network.
What I found particularly intriguing was Beggan’s recount on the Second Captains podcast this week about the interview element. He engaged with all 32 NFL teams before any on-pitch actions took place, a situation he likened to “speed-dating.” Whereas the kickers who advanced via the American college system were bombarded with queries about their individual characters, capabilities to handle stress and personalities, the Irish participants were rather quizzed about the specifics of Gaelic football.
There are 16,000 American high school football teams, each equipped with a kicker. College football is an American sports sensation. Every kicker in the NFL would have traversed through both these experiences.
Daniel Whelan holds the honour of being the inaugural Irishman in 38 years to partake in the NFL last September, functioning as the starting punther for the Green Bay Packers. Whelan’s accomplishment is incredible, in no way diminished by the fact he relocated from Enniskerry to California at 13. Despite being a latecomer, he still took part in both high school and college football.
[ ‘Hot Shot’ – The journey of Daniel Whelan from Enniskerry to the NFL ]
At 31, Rory Beggan is a prominent figure from Monaghan. Just last week, a local acquaintance of mine suggested that Beggan’s urgency should be directed towards returning to Ireland for the upcoming match against Tyrone in Omagh, a crucial relegation decider scheduled for the following Sunday. This was especially pertinent as my mate believed that Beggan couldn’t discern Patrick Mahomes even if the three-time Super Bowl champion, clad in a ‘Mahomes 15’ Kansas City Chiefs shirt, greeted him directly and gave him a swift kick. Nonetheless, Beggan’s recent actions inferred otherwise.
Up until last Sunday, the aspiration seemed unattainable. Yet, despite tracing the narrative over the past few months, it’s only just beginning to sink in: it’s plausible that a GAA player could transition to NFL kicker. It might just become a reality.
The initial plan was for Beggan and his team to return to Ireland last Tuesday. Instead, they were persuaded to remain in America, in anticipation of an unspecified event. So, as you comprehend this, remember that they are presently in Florida, awaiting a phone call in the upcoming weeks that could potentially alter the future of one of Ireland’s most prominent Gaelic footballers.
Beggan, an All Star, exceptional free-taker, and pioneer of modern goalkeeping techniques, has not missed a single Monaghan match in ten years. Often his role has him venturing far from his initial positioning between the goalposts.
There’s a certain level of absurdity in picturing Beggan in a meeting with the Las Vegas Raiders, recounting his last-minute free against Kilcoo for Scotstown during last November’s Ulster senior club semi-final. Yet, that is exactly what happened. As strange as it might seem, it is entirely pertinent. His demonstrated competence under pressure is precisely the characteristic they are seeking.
The livelihood of many kickers hinges on their ability to score points after touch downs (PATs), akin to conversions in rugby. Uniquely, in American football, these are always executed from squarely facing the post at a 33-yard distance. Kickers aim to achieve a flawless season, without missing any PATs.
Further to that, field goals can be attempted from any position on the field. Kicks exceeding 50 yards are regarded as challenging, while those beyond 60 yards are thought of as extremely daunting. This is the primary responsibility of the kicker. Unlike in GAA, where a player has opportunities to make up for missed kicks during free play, failures in key games can cost kickers their jobs in American football. It is a ruthless profession.
Notably, even seasoned kickers scarcely gain sympathy from US sports aficionados. Irish kickers such as Beggan would do well to keep in mind that their origins won’t help them gain leniency if they make it to the NFL and miss crucial kicks. Beggan, being the competitor he is, might be happy with this scenario… and as events over the past week suggest, we may soon see how he handles it.