Louis Rees-Zammit’s bid to make it in the NFL remains alive as he is set to join the Jacksonville Jaguars’ practice squad, BBC Sport understands.
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This move comes after the former Wales rugby star was waived by the Kansas City Chiefs on Tuesday, a day when all NFL teams had to cut their rosters to 53 players.
Rees-Zammit, 22, who signed with the Chiefs as a running back following his successful stint in the International Player Pathway (IPP) programme, impressed during his time in Kansas City.
The Welsh speedster featured in all three of the Chiefs’ preseason games, taking snaps as both a running back and wide receiver, as well as contributing on special teams.
While he managed six carries for 22 yards and recorded one reception during preseason action, Rees-Zammit’s dream of playing in the NFL isn’t over.
The Jaguars, one of several teams to express interest after his standout IPP pro day performance in March, are set to offer him a place on their practice squad. This 17-man unit trains with the team during the week, but players are not eligible to play in games unless promoted to the main roster.
The former British & Irish Lion has always harboured ambitions of making it in American football, and his journey is far from over.
Louis Rees-Zammit’s dating history includes Premier League legends daughter and famous YouTuber
But it’s not just his professional life making headlines. Rees-Zammit’s personal life has also been a hot topic, featuring relationships with high-profile personalities, from a Premier League legend’s daughter to a famous YouTuber and a notable model/DJ.
Alicia Scholes
In December 2019, before his international debut for Wales, Rees-Zammit posted a photo of himself playing for Gloucester. Alicia Scholes, daughter of football legend Paul Scholes, humorously suggested an England debut was imminent, despite Rees-Zammit’s Welsh roots. He firmly replied, “Wales*”.
In a BBC interview, Rees-Zammit spoke about his past relationship with Alicia, a professional netball player for London Pulse. He revealed the light-hearted attempts by her father to sway him towards England, which he steadfastly resisted.
Alicia and her father Paul found themselves in the spotlight in 2021 due to a viral video that led to playful banter among rival supporters.