Mark Jackson said telling Wicklow manager Oisin McConville that he would be stepping away from the county's football panel, for this spring at least, was a "tough" conversation.
On Thursday, the Wicklow goalkeeper was one of four Irish players confirmed as participants in the NFL's International Player Pathway programme.
Monaghan goalkeeper Rory Beggan, Down counterpart Charlie Smyth and former Connacht rugby player Darragh Leader are the other Irish players involved. All have joined as kickers and punters.
'I haven't missed a Wicklow game since I started'
At the NFL combine in March, they will kick in front of the league's teams as they attempt to earn a spot on one of the rosters.
Introducing the International Player Pathway Class of 2024!
Established in 2017, the league’s IPP program aims to provide elite international athletes with the opportunity to compete at the NFL level, improve their skills and ultimately work to earn a spot on an NFL roster. pic.twitter.com/rHM998TOlJ
— NFL (@NFL) January 18, 2024
Since his debut for Wicklow in 2017, Jackson has scored over 100 points for the county.
"It has been tough to have that conversation, to step away from the Wicklow panel for the time being at least," Jackson told the Enter the Arena podcast.
"I sat down with Oisin and put it out to him that I won't be able to commit until definitely after the combine at least.
"I haven't missed a Wicklow game since I started.
"In fairness, anyone close to me who I've talked to about it is fully behind me doing it. They see what could possibly come from this.
"The only people's opinions that I care about are the ones close to me and they're fully behind me."
4 June 2023; Mark Jackson of Wicklow during the Tailteann Cup Group 3 Round 3 match between Limerick and Wicklow at Laois Hire O'Moore Park in Portlaoise, Laois. Photo by Matt Browne/Sportsfile
Darragh Leader's brother Tadhg - another former Connacht rugby player who runs Leader Kicking - has joined the programme as a coach. Tadhg Leader contacted Jackson in August to gauge his interest in walking a path few have taken before. The two met for a kickaround in Clontarf.
"The lad's class," said Leader.
"The very first session I saw him come to, instantly I was like, 'This lad has something'. I've coached a lot of lads.
"We were walking away after the first session. We were in the car park and Mark didn't have a clue about what we were doing but naturally, he was talented at it. I do think he's an elite talent.
"I pulled him aside and said, 'I'm not exactly sure what this pathway is going to be but if anyone is going to walk it, I think it could be you'. That was after 90 minutes of kicking a football. He made that much of an impression straight away."
16 September 2011; Tadhg Leader, Connacht. Sword Security Under 20 Interprovincial, Leinster v Connacht, Donnybrook Stadium, Donnybrook, Dublin. Picture credit: Stephen McCarthy / SPORTSFILE
Jackson and others travelled to the UK in October for a trial. It went well with the 25-year-old kicking a field goal from 57 yards.
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"I was fairly happy with my performance that day," said Jackson.
"It was something completely new to me. I've never gone through a tryout like that before.
"We worked back, left and right hash mark from 33 [yards] to around 60. We started with four kick-offs. Went into punting and then field goals."
The group will train in Ireland for the next few weeks before travelling to the IMG Academy in Florida for a further three weeks of preparation.
"It's surreal to be an Irish guy and think this could happen," said Jackson.
"I'd like to think that if I got to the NFL, there's a pathway for Irish guys to do this. There's plenty of Irish guys who have the legs to do it. If one lad can make that breakthrough, it should hopefully open the floodgates."
