Rugby union star Louis Rees-Zammit has recently taken a surprising career turn by venturing into a new path in the National Football League (NFL). The 23-year-old, originally from Gloucester and known for representing Wales and the British and Irish Lions, publicized his choice to depart from rugby last month to pursue a career in the NFL.
Rees-Zammit is currently engaged in the NFL’s International Player Pathway (IPP) program in Florida, where he is partaking in concentrated training as a wide receiver, in addition to drills for the running back position. During an interview with BBC Wales’ Scrum V program, he articulated his enthusiasm for the opportunity, stating, “There’s a lot of transferable skills over from rugby. My pursuit to be in the NFL is alive and I’m excited to see what the next 10 weeks hold.”
While expressing his excitement, Rees-Zammit recognized the challenges he has faced during training, notably with the American football helmet. He noted, “It’s tough to get your head around it a little bit at the start… The vision out of the sides [of the helmet] kind of affects things. But I’m getting used to it now and I’ll see what happens.”
The IPP program, in which Rees-Zammit is currently participating, consists of 10 weeks of rigorous training, concluding with a pro day where players are assessed for their readiness to join an NFL team. He further explained the demands of the program, stating, “You basically come here and work the game of football on and off the field, in the classroom and training six days a week. Ten weeks of intense training to see if your dream becomes a reality.”
Rees-Zammit also expressed remorse for not being able to provide support to his national team, Wales, in their recent Six Nations matches. He confessed to feeling envious of his teammates and expressed disappointment at their narrow defeats to Scotland and England. Despite his pursuit of an NFL career, he assured Wales’ head coach Warren Gatland that he would contemplate returning to rugby if his transition to American football proves unsuccessful.
Although Rees-Zammit’s decision to change sports has caused a stir in the rugby community, he remains steadfast in his ambitions and committed to making the most of this opportunity.
As the rugby world observes Rees-Zammit’s unorthodox journey unfold, his determination and resilience are evident in his pursuit of a new athletic challenge. Whether he flourishes in the NFL or eventually returns to the rugby field, his commitment to realizing his dreams is truly commendable.