Fresh from practice along Jacksonville’s St. Johns River, Louis Rees-Zammit faced reporters, his sweat-slicked hair and helmet marks a testament to recent strife. In only ten days, he had packed his Kansas City home, flown 1,400 miles, and gone from running back to wide receiver.
“The first game of American football I ever played was a month ago,” he admitted, highlighting the difficulties ahead but also his determination to succeed.
A Life Uprooted
Instead of playing rugby back in Penarth, Wales, 23-year-old Rees-Zammit has swapped all that for NFL stardom. There have been twists and turns from the International Player Pathway in Florida to a short stint with the Kansas City Chiefs – and, five months down the line, the shock of being cut. Today, he remains on the Jaguars’ practice squad, aiming to get better every day while being cautious.
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Louis Rees-Zammit Says NFL Was Always His Dream When Playing Rugby 🏈
Family Motivation
It is poignant as to why he chose that route. While Louis could cement his status as one of the rugby greats, what made him tick was family, especially his dad, Joe. He spent thousands of Sundays watching NFL games with Louis when the latter could only dream about running onto an NFL field. “Making this switch was a dream my dad would’ve loved,” he shared when he hoped to prove that transitioning from rugby to the NFL is possible.
A Surprising Decision
On January 16, during the unveiling of Wales’ Six Nations squad, Rees-Zammit unexpectedly revealed that he was announcing his retirement from rugby. He had given his commitment to participate in the NFL International Player Pathway Program just days before that move. Although he was enjoying a good career at rugby, he felt a change was necessary.
American Football Experience
Once he reached the U.S., he took an involvement in American football and lived in an apartment shared with another athlete, where he learned every minute from this sport. His athletic background then caught the attention of NFL scouts for him to receive a contract with the Chiefs. Although initially waived, his hope is to give his best with Jaguars and showcase more versatility.
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