A Wicklow native has signed an exciting deal with NFL Giants the Green Bay Packers.
23-year-old Dan Whelan from Enniskerry in Wicklow will be competing with Ben O’Donnell, a nine-year veteran, for his place in the squad as the Packers’ punter. If he does manage to secure a spot on the NFC North side’s 53-man roster for the 2023 regular season, he will become the first Irish player in 38 years to to play in an NFL game since Neil O’Donoghue.
Taking to social media on Tuesday, a delighted Dan was decked out in the colours of the Green Bay Packers. He also shared images of himself signing the contract with the popular team.
Dan wrote on Twitter: "All glory to God! It’s official! Thank you @packers for the opportunity #gopackgo."
Dan previously attended St Gerard’s in Bray before his family moved to the US when he was a teenager. He played college ball at University of California-Davis before going undrafted, and during the 2022 season he lined out for XFL team the DC Defenders.
He also enjoyed an excellent campaign with them as he earned All-XFL honours. As he embarks on this exciting adventure with the Green Bay Packers, Dan's mum Anne Marie was among those to wish him well.
She wrote on Twitter: "@dan_whelan signing a new contract today with @packers in the @NFL the hard work & journey continues."
Other family members and friends also wished him the best of luck in his new venture. One person commented: "Congrats & well deserved! Wear your green proud in more ways than one. Go Pack Go & Erin go Braugh."
A second added: "Best of luck over there Dan."
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