'I would definitely love to play here if given the opportunity' as Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Connor Heyward eyes NFL game to be staged in Ireland

American football games in London have become a part of the regular season but Heyward, who was in Belfast with wide receiver teammate Calvin Austin for a youth training camp at Deramore Park last weekend, sees no reason why a game can’t come across the Irish Sea.

“It is extremely cool to see multiple games being played all over whether that is Germany, whether that is Spain, but I would definitely love to play here if given the opportunity,” said Heyward.

“You have the stadiums and you have everything that we need, we just have to bring our helmets and our pads and we are ready just line it up wherever that is and that's the mindset that I have and a lot of guys have.

Steelers tight end Connor Heyward and participants at the Pittsburgh Steelers Youth Camp which was held last weekend at Deramore Park in Belfast

“It is all about experiences good and bad and how you learn from them but also travelling. Being in Europe for the first time has opened my mind and opened a lot of the way I view things and I just want to come back.

“I go back on Tuesday but I’m already planning my next trip to come back to Europe and just sightseeing. Hopefully I come back to Ireland again, I just love seeing new places and meeting new people.

“It has been amazing here so far everybody has treated me with so much respect and love.”

Heyward, who has over 300 receiving yards, believes there is a huge pool of untapped talent in Ireland that can make careers in the NFL and is backing Charlie Smyth to thrive at the New Orleans Saints.

Smyth, the Down GAA goalkeeper, came through the International Players Pathway and after impressing at trials has been given a spot on the active roster for the 2010 Super Bowl champions for the upcoming season.

“I know Charlie is a kicker and I’m sure he has been kicking his whole life. The ball has changed but that is the only thing - it is the same motion, the follow through and keeping your eyes down.

“It always comes back to fundamentals, never overthinking things and your preparation always comes to light and that is with everybody, we always work our tails off.

“Charlie is working his tail off along with all the other foreign players. They don’t care where you are from, the best players will always play.

“Ireland is going to have that talent with the knowledge and us coming back here more. The game is just going to continue to grow, I love the game of football and I just want to rub that off on them."

Heyward is hoping the Steelers can unearth some more hidden talent from their visits to Belfast and Cork.

“It is really important coming from Georgia, going to school at Michigan State then getting drafted by the Steelers, I have been to a lot of places playing the game that I love but I have never been overseas," he continued.

“Being able to come here, teach the game, watch them to see where they are at is extremely cool, it is humbling.

“I’m blessed to be in this position and I just want to give back, make their day happy, teach them something and if not, just make sure they are having fun.”