Bendigo’s Sam Irwin-Hill has received a second chance in the NFL after signing with the Washington Redskins.
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Irwin-Hill spent last pre-season as one of the punters with the Dallas Cowboys, but didn’t make the final roster for the regular season.
The Redskins pounced on Friday morning (AEDT), signing the 27-year-old to their pre-season squad.
Irwin-Hill posted his thoughts about his signing on social media.
“Hard work always pays off, Stoked to be part of the family and excited for the journey ahead!!!,’’ Irwin-Hill posted on Twitter.
Irwin-Hill will compete with established punter Tress Way for the Redskins’ punting position.
Way, who has been the Redskins’ punter for the past four years, averaged 45.7 yards per punt last season – the 13th best record in the 32-team competition.
Irwin-Hill’s ability to play the punting and kicking role is seen as one of his great strengths.
The former Eaglehawk and Bendigo Pioneers footballer kicked field goals and punted in pre-season games for the Cowboys last year.
Irwin-Hill kicked a 43-yard field goal to win a pre-season game for the Cowboys against the Arizona Cardinals.
Irwin-Hill has five months to impress the Redskins, with the final roster announced in August ahead of the regular season kick-off in September.
Irwin-Hill made the switch from Aussie Rules to American football after receiving a scholarship to the City College of San Francisco.
A standout career at that school led to Irwin-Hill transferring to division one school Arkansas.
Irwin-Hill was a standout with the Arkansas Razorbacks and he made national headlines in the USA when he scored a touchdown via a trick play.
