Louis Rees-Zammit has already signed with the Super Bowl champions
The NFL has long hoped to forge a path into the European market, and for years it was thought that this would come in the form of a franchise being moved to London.
However, as things have turned out, the NFL’s efforts have worked with their annual London games running for over a decade, leaving a generation of British athletes with regular access to America’s Game.
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As such, there can be no surprise that British and European talents are now starting to make waves in the NFL.
There are a number of player pathway programs for those who wish to arrive in the NFL, not quite in the traditional way of going through the collegiate system and the NFL Entry Draft.
In Louis Rees-Zammit, the NFL has a brand-new running back, yet he is somewhat different to other free agent signings made this offseason… he was already an international in another sport.
Rees-Zammit represented Wales in Rugby Union, starring at the World Cup with the team, however he has elected to abandon his rugby career in pursuit of a spot in the NFL.
Andy Reid is going to come up with a DIABOLICAL Play Call after signing Rugby Star Louis Rees-Zammit!! pic.twitter.com/hIkUpwWkHU
— Coach Dan Casey (@CoachDanCasey) March 28, 2024
Rees-Zammit’s dream has come true
This dream officially came true for the Welshman on Thursday evening when it was announced that he had signed a contract with the Kansas City Chiefs.
To describe how big a deal this is… imagine an NBA player deciding to give up the sport and try and secure a contract with Real Madrid… and doing just that at the first attempt.
The Kansas City Chiefs are the best team in the NFL right now, having won back-to-back Super Bowls, and will have an awesome offense for Rees-Zammit to work within.
Of course, their difficult cap situation has made this move more possible, and it remains to be seen if the Welshman gets through training camp after the draft and makes the final 53-man roster for the 2024 season.
If he does, he will be playing as a running back, although one would expect that to be somewhat fluid given his relative inexperience in the sport itself.