Louis Rees-Zammit, a Welsh rugby star, is making a switch to the NFL, aiming for a career as a running back/wide receiver. He is joined by other rugby players, including Harry Mallinder and Darragh Leader, who are attempting to enter the NFL as kickers/punters. Naas Botha and former pros have cautioned about the challenges. Rees-Zammit has expressed his childhood dream of playing in the NFL, and his move has garnered mixed reactions from the rugby community.
Louis Rees-Zammit is targeting a hybrid role in the NFL, combining the running back and wide receiver positions https://t.co/33eOSdeuMC
I’m pumped for @LouisReesZammit and his @NFL adventure! Ignore the naysayers and follow your dream mate! Have a read of my column for @RugbyPass on it here 👇🏼 https://t.co/hQUBWXTcc7
Some big differences in NFL Louis Rees-Zammit is going to have to get used to 💪 #WalesRugby #NFL #Rugby https://t.co/FYRXOLeTpJ
Harry Mallinder buys an American football off internet and follows Louis Rees-Zammit Former England player, 27, will join Welsh star on international player pathway with the aim of winning a place in an NFL team practice squad Tap for the full story ⬇️ https://t.co/bJSveT9fpd
Louis Rees Zammit’s new NFL position announced as he 'can't believe it's happening' https://t.co/B4YbeH1Hvv
Former @gloucesterrugby wing @LouisReesZammit has been thinking about what position he'd like to play in American Football https://t.co/enRL8OCGqo
Louis Rees-Zammit claims he has dreamed of playing in the NFL since he was a boy... as rugby star reveals which position he wants to play: 'I feel like a little kid' https://t.co/5H9atpU9BJ https://t.co/XiasBElE1u
Having played with Gloucester since 2018 and represented the British and Irish Lions… Would the Detroit Lions be a good fit for Louis Rees Zammit in the NFL 🔜 ? Which NFL franchise would you like to see LRZ play for? 🤔 #rugby #NFL #wales https://t.co/33uZ2Vkl1T
Louis the Lion 🦁 Having played with Gloucester since 2018 and represented the British and Irish Lions… Would the Detroit Lions be a good fit for Louis Rees Zammit in the NFL 🔜 ? #rugby #NFL #wales https://t.co/qWENHcYhw0
🗣️ "It’s always the same in Welsh rugby; there is always something, but I reckon this is the most extreme one." 🏴 @adamjones3 urges Louis Rees-Zammit to give the NFL a good ‘crack’. https://t.co/ahPQCP93ys
BREAKING: English rugby union player Harry Mallinder has revealed he is leaving the sport to pursue a career in the NFL 🏉➡🏈 https://t.co/1bYfL8J99v
Harry Mallinder (ex-Northampton) and Darragh Leader (ex-Connacht) are joining the NFL pathway as prospective kickers/punters. This from @rugbynudge is Tommy Townsend, punter for the Kansas City Chiefs, launching a rugby ball into orbit... https://t.co/7VmPVaFmq5
BREAKING: LRZ won't be the only rugby player in this year's NFL player pathway program. #rugby #NFL https://t.co/p8pralzCMA
So, Louis Rees-Zammit is trying out as a running back/wide receiver. Other former pros Darragh Leader and Harry Mallinder, both placekickers in rugby, are also trying out as kickers. https://t.co/MxfCM7egyt
Harry Mallinder (Ex-Northampton Saints) and Darragh Leader (ex-Connacht) are both joining Louis Rees-Zammit on the NFL’s IPP. 6’9” ex-Coventry lock George Smith has also signed up. Well, well, well. https://t.co/Lxsp9IDPIw
BREAKING: @LouisReesZammit is enlisting as a wide receiver or running back in the @NFL IPP. Fellow rugby player Harry Mallinder goes as kicker/punter. https://t.co/1GhDLPeO5R
BREAKING: Harry Mallinder will also be joining Louis Rees-Zammit in attempting to make it to the NFL. Mallinder was last playing rugby in Japan after he departed Northampton Saints.
As spotted by @WheresTommyV - LR-Z isn't the only rugby player going for the NFL, Harry Mallinder is on the list too - as a kicker/ punter https://t.co/Tsq36fw3xb
🏈 NEW: Former Northampton utility back Harry Mallinder is joining Louis Rees-Zammit in the NFL’s international player pathway. LRZ also listed as a Running Back/Wide Receiver.
Harry Mallinder is joining Louis Rees-Zammit in trying to make it to the NFL. https://t.co/YlBs3UVTHX
How Louis Rees-Zammit’s dad kickstarted gridiron love affair Long before the 22-year-old was born, his dad, Joe, played for the Welsh American football team Cardiff Tigers in the 1980s | ✍️ @ElganTimes Read more ⬇️ https://t.co/Urggn42vrp
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