Louis Rees-Zammit has received a three-year contract with the reigning Super Bowl champion Kansas Chiefs. Photo: AP/Charlie Riedel < p>Louis Rees-Zammit admitted he was “a little gutted” not to be part of Gloucester's bid to win the Challenge Cup at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium later this month, adding that he hopes his move to the NFL can inspire other rugby players with similar ambitions to make the move.
Rees-Zammit left Gloucester and rugby union in January to join the NFL's International Player Pathway program before impressing scouts and signing with Kansas City, who have won the last two Super Bowls.
Rees-Zammit is in the middle of Chiefs' off-season program but will be watching Gloucester's final against the Sharks on May 24, having been part of the team's group stage wins against Claremont and Edinburgh.
“I’m so happy for them,” he said. “It's amazing to reach the final, I'm a little disappointed that I'm not there. I played in two games and it was amazing and they are doing great in the cup. I'm sure they'll put on a show because that's what they've done throughout the European campaign. We haven't lost a single game, have we? I wish the guys good luck and want to be there to support them. Unfortunately, I will be here, but I will definitely watch.”
The former Wales, England and Lions international came through the ranks at Hartpury College and then Gloucester, paying tribute to his former coaches.
“I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for Gloucester. It all started at Hartpury College, they gave me the opportunity to become a professional rugby player. Gloucester saw something in me and I continue to work hard for them. All credit to the Hartpury coaches. Wayne Thompson played a huge role in my joining. Johan Ackermann gave me my first opportunity at Gloucester and I am very grateful to him. And then George Skivington was one of the best coaches I've ever had.”
Rees-Zammit is one of 12 players who went through IPP this year and were signed by NFL clubs, including offensive guard Travis. Clayton from Basingstoke has joined the Buffalo Bills.
Asked if he had spoken to former rugby teammates about trying to make it in the NFL, Rees-Zammit said: “I haven’t spoken to them about it, but there are definitely players who could try and be successful. I think. The only question is whether they want to leave rugby behind. There are some very talented internationals all over the world and I hope I can inspire even more people to make that change.”
“It was a risk leaving rugby to pursue this dream.”
Understanding that his recent comment “I've achieved everything I wanted in rugby” has attracted some attention, with Rees-Zammit clarifying his feelings about his former sport and the moment he felt it was time to try and make it in the NFL.
“Obviously there was a lot of noise around me saying I had achieved everything I wanted in rugby, but I made my international debut at 19, went on the Lions tour, went to the Rugby World Cup. I did what I wanted. I wouldn't say I've achieved everything because it's very difficult to win a World Cup and Wales have never done it. There were definitely things in rugby I could have done better at, but by the time I was 23 I was very happy with what I had done. Of course, leaving rugby to pursue his dream was risky. Now I'm at Chiefs, I have to work hard to get into the squad.
“I would probably say after the World Cup [there was a moment]. I looked at what I did from 18 to 23 and was truly happy. I may not have won anything, but I participated in a lot. I was very happy with rugby, but I wanted to challenge myself.”
Rees-Zammit said he was adapting mentally from learning 20 games from set pieces in rugby to about 100 per game in the NFL, doing replays in his hotel after training with one of the Chiefs' new backs, Ian Book. “It was mentally difficult. I knew how difficult it would be, but actually seeing a textbook in front of you and how much you have to learn is a completely different thing.”
Rees-Zammit noted that there have also been significant changes in terms of strength and endurance, from the longer cardio required in rugby to the shorter, more explosive bursts required in the NFL. Catching the pass during training camp, where the receiver is protected by a screen of blockers and can build up speed, gave Rees-Zammit the attacking space he is used to in rugby counter-attacks. “Whenever there is open space, my eyes light up,” Rees-Zammit said. “I can use my awareness from playing rugby since I was seven. Once I get into space, that's where I can cause the most pain to the other teams, so to speak.
“It’s very intense, very stop-start. The way you have to do certain movements is in 10 second bursts and then stopping. Off the field the movements are completely different. In rugby you squat and press, but here there are a lot of Olympic lifts and different movements. You need to be able to cut any angle, especially as a running back. In the gym, these movements are completely different. In rugby you can move in an arc, in the NFL you have to be able to change direction very quickly.”
Biggar “reads the game the same way as Mahomes”
However, Rees-Zammit did compare the same level of composure and performance under pressure to be found between NFL quarterbacks and rugby linebackers, with Rees-Zammit training alongside The current best performer in the NFL is three-time Super Bowl winner Patrick Mahomes and his ex Wales teammate Dan Biggar.
“Patrick can read the game and his cues, quickly scan the defense and play. Also. Dan has done this since his debut at 19 for Wales. Here's a comparison of how quickly they can read a game and make decisions based on it.”
Admitting he misses his parents and friends – as well as Welsh cakes – Rees-Zammit added: “I really I'm proud to be Welsh and in my opinion Wales is the best country in the world.” Having swapped Welsh red for Kansas City red, Rees-Zammit's goal now is to continue learning on and off the field to make the final 53-man squad for the start of next season.
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