by Renowned code hopper Louis Rees-Zammit has revealed that the transition from rugby union to American football wasn’t easy.
In January, it was confirmed that Rees-Zammit would travel to the United States to take part in the NFL International Player Pathway program (IPP), which gives top athletes from around the world the chance to secure a place on the NFL roster and number of players to increase international players of the league.
After performing well during the IPP, the former Wales and Gloucester flyer joined the Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs on a three-year deal in March, but after recently failing to make their 53-man NFL roster, He was acquired by the Kansas City Chiefs The Jacksonville Jaguars will join their practice squad at the end of August.
I also installed a position switch
The 23-year-old has also changed positions from running back to wide receiver since joining the Florida-based team.
The Jaguars face the New England Patriots at Wembley Stadium on Sunday and while Rees-Zammit is happy to be back in familiar surroundings in the UK, he admitted it was difficult changing the sport’s rules.
“I mean, it’s incredible to finally come back here,” he told reporters at a news conference. “I was in America for almost nine of the ten months this year.
“It’s great to come back and see all the Jags fans and see how loyal they are because there are a lot of them in the UK.
Louis Rees-Zammit gets an honest assessment of his NFL chances from former rugby convert
“We as players love coming here, playing in front of them and seeing the support they have given us. Yes, it was great. The transition was difficult from the start.
“You know, completely immersing yourself in another sport is obviously not an easy task. But this is what I wanted and I’m pursuing my dream.
“So I will try to do it with the enthusiasm that I bring to training every day.”
“They are two different things”
Asked if he was happier chasing the NFL dream than he was as a rugby player, Rees-Zammit replied: “I mean, they’re two different things. You know, now that I’m here, I can work hard and practice all the skills I need to be on a team.
“Being a rugby player and wanting to play in the NFL, I knew I had to do a lot of rugby to get the opportunity.
“When I played rugby, I was completely focused on rugby. But in the back of my mind I knew this was a big dream of mine. And one I wanted to pursue.
“And now we are here today. I play for the Jacksonville Jaguars and enjoy every moment of it.”
READ MORE: ‘I was scared to leave’ – Dan Biggar reveals personal reasons for supporting Louis Rees-Zammit ahead of his return to the UK to the NFL
