Total Pro Sports
Louis Rees-Zammit made a brave choice when he left rugby to try playing American football. He joined the NFL’s international player program and put in a lot of effort during training. Before joining the Jacksonville Jaguars, he signed with the Kansas City Chiefs. However, he was unable to participate in a game during the regular season.
He struggled to adjust to the sport because of a back injury and limited playing time. At the age of 24, Rees-Zammit chose to return to rugby, the sport in which he first gained popularity.
His decision shows his continued desire to compete at a high level in a sport that suits his skill, speed, and background.
Famous rugby player Rees-Zammit wanted to try something new. He joined a special NFL program for international players at the beginning of 2024. This provided an opportunity to train with other elite athletes and learn American football.
After he showed great speed and skill, the Kansas City Chiefs signed him. He later became a member of the Jacksonville Jaguars. The prospect of a rugby star playing a new sport thrilled many fans. However, it took some time to get used to the new rules and plays when switching from rugby to football.
It was challenging to get consistent playing time in the NFL. Although practice went well, there were no opportunities to participate in the actual season’s games. Due to a back injury, it was also challenging to maintain good fitness and train appropriately. Because of these issues, it was more difficult to continue the football journey.
Despite a great deal of focus and effort, things did not go as expected. After careful consideration, the decision was made to switch back to rugby and quit playing football.
The announcement that rugby would be the next step was made on August 1, 2025. The decision was made with pride and a strong wish to keep playing at a high level. Many rugby teams expressed interest and made offers to sign a new contract.
Playing for club and country again is made possible by this return. Strength and discipline were developed as a result of the American football experience. The emphasis now is on putting in a lot of training, performing well, and making a strong return to the sport that initially made the name well-known.
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