GREEN BAY, Wis. — A Green Bay Packers punter has lived in the United States for over a decade now. Before that, he lived in Ireland, where he never played football.
Daniel Whelan is from Enniskerry, in Ireland's County Wicklow. Enniskerry is a small village south of Dublin, along the country's east coast.
Whelan is the first Irish-born NFL player since 1985. He said he wants to make his home country proud.
“It's very inspiring… I'm very honored to be in the position I'm in,” said Whelan. “[I] try to get more Irish people in the league, try and spread the word of football throughout Ireland and just get more Irish folk over here.”
Whelan said he and his mom moved from Ireland over 11 years ago after his mother got a job in the U.S.
The former soccer player first played football in his junior year of high school. Since then, he said he has worked hard to perfect his craft.
“A lot of self-motivation is required, especially to be a specialist in Green Bay,” said Whelan. “Obviously, the weather, all that plays a role in how you perform as well. But just get that routine dialed-in and make sure you're getting 1% better. Keep self-motivating and to be self-taught and just your best self every day.”
The punter also works at being a holder on field goal kicks. He said his routine includes plenty of sleep, drinking water, exercising and checking the weather.
Whelan said he set some big goals for his second year with the team.
“Zero punt returns, a lot of fair-catches, leading inside the twenties,” said Whelan. “Control the field, change the game and be like the best holder I can be and then impact this game.”
Whelan said he rarely gets to go back to Ireland, but he said every visit home is special.