A professional rugby player from Wales has announced his decision to stop playing, as he chases down a possible chance to compete in the United States in the National Football League.
Louis Rees-Zammit, formerly a winger for English Premiership side Gloucester and selected to represent both Wales and the British & Irish Lions at international level, announced his decision on Tuesday, January 16.
In a statement posted on the day, he said: “I would like to take this opportunity to announce a significant career decision that I have taken after careful consideration. In a move that I am extremely excited about, I can confirm that I will be joining the NFL’s International Player Pathway program (IPP) in pursuit of earning a spot on an NFL roster in the United States for 2024.”
The NFL’s International Pathway Program has been running for several years now, taking in a number of players from around the world who display a skillset that could be useful in the NFL.
Notable participants of the IPP include the Commanders’ Efe Obada (British) and the Eagles’ Jordan Mailata (Australia).
Rees-Zammit did clarify, though, that this move doesn’t necessarily mean retirement from rugby, but instead simply an opportunity elsewhere.
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“Although this decision may come as a surprise, I would like to reiterate that this does not necessarily mean I am retiring from rugby, but rather at this age and stage of my life, I am excited to explore a unique challenge that has the potential to diversify my skill set.”
— Louis Rees-Zammit ⚡️ (@LouisReesZammit) January 16, 2024
The Welshman isn’t the first rugby player to attempt to make the switch over to the NFL. Australian Daniel Faalele, started his sports career in rugby, but was scouted by the University of Hawai’i and finally drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in 2022.
There is also former Minnesota Vikings offensive lineman David Tukatahi Dixon and, in a slightly less successful endeavor, Christian Wade, who joined the Buffalo Bills as a running back and, despite his first-ever touch in preseason being an 80-yard touchdown, found himself back in rugby before long.
At 6-foot-2 and roughly 195lbs, many fans have already tipped Louis Rees-Zammit to have potential as a wide receiver and punt returner, though only time will tell whether this move actually works out.