Welsh rugby star Louis Rees-Zammit has made a shock move to pursue a career in the NFL, with the decision being described as sudden by sources close to the situation. Rees-Zammit was approached about the switch on Sunday and informed Wales coach Warren Gatland just an hour before the decision was made public. Gloucester Rugby agreed to release him in the last couple of hours before the announcement. Rees-Zammit, a big NFL fan, sees this as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and will move to Florida next week. The move has sparked a mix of criticism and support, with some questioning the timing and others backing Rees-Zammit's desire to chase his dreams. Warren Gatland expressed his belief in players taking opportunities and mentioned that Rees-Zammit could return to rugby if his NFL pursuit does not work out. Meanwhile, comparisons are being drawn between Rees-Zammit's speed and that of NFL players, with reports noting his top speed of 24.2MPH exceeds that of notable NFL wide receiver Tyreek Hill.
A huge loss to @gloucesterrugby; a bigger one to rugby; the apparent claim he has left the sport “for good” a crying shame. Owen Slot’s outstanding piece in this morning’s @thetimes spells out what awaits @LouisReesZammit when he touches down in Florida … https://t.co/Y1GQzwGR6a
Jamie George 🚫 Owen Farrell, Kyle Sinckler, Courtney Lawes❓ George North ✅ What really makes playing in France such an attractive proposition? 🇫🇷 🗣️ @harry__spencer shares his insight with TRU https://t.co/vupyHplMPZ 📸 Eveil normand https://t.co/PdpN4DDlqb
Louis Rees-Zammit ‘will have no credibility in NFL bear pit’ If the Wales rugby star wants to know how hard it is to make the cross-code leap, Christian Wade and Christian Scotland-Williamson have some cautionary advice. 🔽 Read below | ✍️ @owenslot https://t.co/9IL9iBjpdN
Springbok legend Naas Botha has warned Louis Rees-Zammit of the pitfalls and unique challenges of leaving rugby to pursue a career in American football. https://t.co/UBtRyAEfgm
🗣️ "It’s not just the lure of the flashing lights, big US cities, huge salary, celebrity status and the chance of meeting Taylor Swift that has lured the Welshman." 🏴 Opinion: How @LouisReesZammit’s NFL switch reflects on rugby. ✍️ @jaredwright17 https://t.co/KbwcLMBPYA
Louis Rees-Zammit has quit rugby to chase his "dream"... 🏈 But how difficult will it be to make that come true? 🤔 https://t.co/tmtsx1DQwN
🗣️ “Don’t get why people can’t just be happy that I’m chasing my dreams." 🏈 Louis Rees-Zammit responds after criticism of his NFL move. https://t.co/0wTaMrF0Qx
"Rees-Zammit is a player who can make gold out of straw, an individual Gatland can ill afford to be without." The Gloucester flyer's absence and a huge injury list leaves Wales facing a Himalayan task this Six Nations. ✍️Mark Orders https://t.co/eXIzec4Vam
“Dad, what was it like watching Louis Rees-Zammit play rugby?” https://t.co/0iyCERCjpf
Wales rugby star Louis Rees-Zammit is given a prominent role in new Netflix documentary 'Full Contact' trailer - despite sensationally quitting the sport to become an NFL player https://t.co/bNKxdJbyr6 https://t.co/zQC014zdMn
"It's an unusual one but we may very well be eating our hat if he turns out to be a real star and progresses an awful lot further." Rob Kearney discusses Louis Rees-Zammit's move to American football. #VMTVRugby #GuinnessSixNations https://t.co/QdCdbUZ3Lj
Rugby star Louis Rees-Zammit needs a minor miracle to make it in the NFL https://t.co/dPJ9IPUPR3
Louis Rees-Zammit's switch to NFL was a bit of shock - Warren Gatland https://t.co/FNuTJ7bDLT
Now you've had time to reflect, do you think Louis Rees-Zammit can succeed where others from rugby have failed, and take a snap in an NFL league game?
Rugby has lost another of its brightest stars; one of those characters with crossover appeal who can help to grow the sport. Louis Rees-Zammit's story is told in depth in the new Netflix Six Nations documentary ⬇️Read below |✍️@AlexMLowe https://t.co/l5aTmHWQo5
With Louis Rees-Zammit out of rugby for the foreseeable future, what are your reflection on the loss of one of rugby’s most prominent young stars to the NRL? https://t.co/jQZJ79ZyM8
Can't wait to see Louis Rees-Zammit play for the newest NFL franchise The Dinas Powys Dragons in 2027 https://t.co/9gmewCSa7m
Think Tyreek Hill is fast? Meet Louis Rees-Zammit! NFL-bound ex-rugby star has a top speed of 24.2MPH - that's FASTER than the Dolphins WR's top speed of 23.24mph! https://t.co/nTHoX8JKmY https://t.co/pe2TNwDKTA
" I've always been a great believer in players taking those opportunities that are presented for them. I said if it doesn't work out, what are your next steps? He said he'd come back to rugby. There's never a dull moment in Welsh rugby." Warren Gatland on Rees-Zammit NFL move
Pretty interesting. Young rugby star leaves his sport to chase his dream of playing in the NFL. https://t.co/F9Lx9fm2EH
Head coach George Skivington shares his views on Louis Rees-Zammit leaving Gloucester Rugby to pursue NFL dream 🏉 Read more here 👉 https://t.co/15KPD2fCoz https://t.co/KFTjkno9zG
Louis Rees-Zammit's BBC Strictly Come Dancing star girlfriend breaks silence after he quits rugby for NFL https://t.co/OfVHNO7oxl
Louis Rees-Zammit flooded with messages after shock announcement as players and stars wish him well https://t.co/psCjrqKyvi https://t.co/MaM9iCXSXf
When you learn about Louis Rees Zammit on a work call #LouisReesZammit #GuinnessM6N #GloucesterRugby #WelshRugby #GuinnessSixNations #lrz #NFLUK #NFL https://t.co/tuC95MTuQZ
Some bizarre suggestions out there that NFL hopeful Louis Rees-Zammit might qualify for the Eagles on residency in time for RWC 2031. Union transfer is only available to players with ancestry links, so unless he's got a secret American granny it's not even possible.
'A rollercoaster': Gatland on how Rees-Zammit's rugby exit unfolded #WelshRugby #GallagherPrem #GuinnessM6N Click below for more ⤵️ https://t.co/wJHMmjDdeo
LRZ eh? Chances of making it may be slim but totally back the boy for wanting to have a go. Rugby needs its superstars for global appeal. So go try a new stage! Wishing him every success and that if it works out, it switches more of the USA onto rugby and its talented players.
Louis Rees-Zammit's bombshell phone call to Warren Gatland emerges as Wales coach reveals what happened https://t.co/nR0O9FNbF5
Some criticism of the timing of the LRZ statement but this sounds like a pretty chaotic chain of events. According to Gatland, he was approached on Sunday, slept on it, Gloucester agreed to release him 'in the last couple of hours'. LRZ a big NFL fan. Once in a lifetime chance.
🏴 BREAKING: Officially confirmed that Louis Rees-Zammit was approached on Sunday and only informed Gatland an hour before the decision. This is a very very sudden decision. He will move to Florida next week…