Former Derry Gaelic Footballer Jude McAtamney Signs with New York Giants as Free Agent Kicker

Jude McAtamney, a former Derry Under-20s Gaelic footballer, has signed with the NFL's New York Giants as a free agent kicker following the 2024 NFL Draft. The announcement comes on the heels of a historic weekend for the NFL in Ireland, with three draft picks being announced live from the country for the first time.

McAtamney, who won an Ulster Under-20s title with Derry, will now compete with Scottish-born Graham Gano for a roster spot with the four-time Super Bowl champions. The Derry native played two college seasons for Rutgers University in New Jersey before catching the attention of the Giants.

The signing of McAtamney marks the third Irishman to be currently featured on an NFL roster, joining Down's Charlie Smyth who recently inked a deal with the New Orleans Saints and Wexford punter Dan Whelan who made his NFL debut for the Green Bay Packers last season.

McAtamney is set to report for duty with the Giants on May 9th, where he will participate in a three-day rookie mini-camp. He will then remain with the team, training every week until mid-June.

Why this matters: The signing of Jude McAtamney to the New York Giants represents the growing Irish presence and influence in the NFL. It also highlights the potential for athletes to successfully transition from Gaelic football to American football at the highest professional level.

While the potentially lucrative financial rewards for NFL kickers are on offer, with salaries ranging from $200,000 to $800,000, McAtamney emphasized that his primary motivation is to have a long and successful career in the league. "The best case scenario is a 10 or 15-year career kicking in the NFL," McAtamney stated. "That's what I'm focused on, not the money."

Key Takeaways

• Jude McAtamney, ex-Derry Gaelic footballer, signs with NFL's New York Giants as free agent kicker.
• McAtamney to compete with Graham Gano for roster spot with 4-time Super Bowl champions Giants.
• McAtamney is 3rd Irishman currently on NFL roster, joining Saints' Charlie Smyth and Packers' Dan Whelan.
• McAtamney aims for 10-15 year NFL career, not just financial rewards, as he reports for Giants' rookie camp.
• Signing highlights growing Irish presence and transition from Gaelic to American football at pro level.