Daniel Whelan: Difference between revisions

After going unselected in the [[2022 NFL Draft]], Whelan was signed by the [[New Orleans Saints]] as an [[undrafted free agent]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nola.com/sports/jeff-duncan-irish-eyes-are-smiling-as-saints-rookie-daniel-whelan-tries-to-make-history/article_7255ae1c-d48c-11ec-9f5f-9ba0f4f5e366.html|newspaper=[[Nola.com]]|title=Irish eyes are smiling as Saints rookie Daniel Whelan tries to make history|date=May 16, 2022|author=Duncan, Jeff}}</ref> He was waived on July 26.<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.si.com/nfl/saints/news/saints-excuse-tyrann-mathieu-announce-roster-moves|magazine=[[Sports Illustrated]]|title=Saints Excuse Tyrann Mathieu, Announce Roster Moves|author=Hendrix, John|date=July 26, 2022}}</ref> He was later chosen with the second pick of the specialists phase in the [[2023 XFL Draft]] by the [[DC Defenders]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/xfl/story/_/id/35053464/xfl-draft-results-2023-full-rosters-eight-teams-vic-beasley-martavis-bryant-picks|publisher=[[ESPN]]|title=XFL draft results for 2023: Picks, full rosters for every team|date=November 18, 2022}}</ref> He made the team and served as their punter in all 10 of their games as they went on to be league championship runner-ups, being named All-XFL after having an average of 45.6 yards on 29 attempts.<ref name="auto1"/><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.desertsun.com/story/sports/football/2023/02/19/rancho-mirage-high-football-daniel-whelan-xfl-d-c-defenders-nfl-new-orleans-saints/69912939007/|newspaper=[[The Desert Sun]]|title=Rancho Mirage grad Daniel Whelan making pro football debut in XFL — and still aims for NFL|date=February 19, 2023|author=Powers, Shad}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.profootballarchives.com/2023xfldc.html|website=Pro Football Archives|title=2023 D.C. Defenders (XFL)}}</ref>▼

Whelan signed with the [[Green Bay Packers]] after his time in the XFL.<ref name="auto1"/> He beat out [[Pat O'Donnell]] for the Packers' punting job.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://247sports.com/nfl/green-bay-packers/article/packers-dan-whelan-aims-to-make-history-as-first-irish-nfl-player-in-38-years-213535986/|website=[[247Sports]]|title=Packers' Dan Whelan aims to make history as first Irish NFL player in 38 years|author=Crragher, Daire|date=August 28, 2023}}</ref><ref name="auto2">{{Cite news|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/2023/08/28/daniel-whelan-set-to-become-first-irish-born-player-to-play-nfl-game-in-nearly-40-years/|newspaper=[[Irish Times]]|title=Daniel Whelan set to become first Irish-born player to play NFL game in nearly 40 years|author=Johns, Nathan|date=August 29, 2023}}</ref> He made his NFL debut on September 10 against the [[Chicago Bears]], recording five punts for 249 yards while becoming the first Irish-born NFL player since 1985.<ref name="auto2"/><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/othersport/arid-41223631.html|title=Daniel Whelan becomes the first Irishman to feature in the NFL since 1985|author=Horgan, Andrew|date=September 11, 2023|newspaper=[[Irish Examiner]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WhelDa00.htm|website=[[Pro-Football-Reference.com]]|title=Daniel Whelan Stats}}</ref>▼