Green Bay Packers punter Dan Whelan became the Irish-born player to feature in an NFL game since 1985 when he made a highly encouraging competitive debut in his side's 38-20 victory over the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field.
Whelan averaged 49.8 yards off five punts, leaving him tied for seventh in punt averages with just one remaining game up for decision in week one of the regular season.
Known for his big leg, the 24-year-old's longest effort was a booming 68-yarder, with only Michael Dickson of the Seattle Seahawks and the Carolina Panthers' Johnny Hekker exceeding that distance.
Punters are often judged on their ability to pin opposing offences inside the 20-yard line and Whelan did just that with one of his five attempts against the Packers' bitter divisional rivals.
Serving as the holder on field goals for kicker Anders Carlson, his composed catch and accurate placement from a high snap allowed Whelan's fellow rookie to make his first NFL field goal from 52 yards.
Whelan lived in Enniskerry until the age of 13, when his family moved from Wicklow to California to take up residence in Palm Springs.
Daniel Whelan's first NFL punt! Let's go Dan! 🇮🇪#GoPackGo pic.twitter.com/xJOWlJzMlY
— NFL UK (@NFLUK) September 10, 2023
Making the switch from soccer to American football in high school, he started as a kicker before moving to his current position and played college football with the UC Davis Aggies from 2017 to 2021.
After going undrafted in 2022, the 6'6" prospect was signed as a free agent by the New Orleans Saints but was waived in July of that year.
However, impressive performances with the DC Defenders in the XFL this season, where he averaged 45.6 yards on 29 attempts and was named on the all-XFL team secured him a shot with the Packers.
His pre-season form against the Cincinnati Bengals, the New England Patriots and the Seattle Seahawks earned him the opportunity to become the first player to hail from Ireland to figure in the league since Neil O'Donoghue kicked for the St Louis Cardinals in 1985.
