Getty Image / Ian MacNicol
On the eve of the Six Nations Championship (rugby tournament) which is set to begin in about two weeks, Welshy rugby phenom Louis Rees-Zammit has announced he is quitting the sport to chase a dream of NFL stardom.
The former Gloucester Rugby and Wales National Rugby Union Team member announced the news on Tuesday, declaring that he would enter the NFL’s International Player Pathway Program as his path to NFL success. The NFL’s IPP program was launched in 2017 (under the current name) after several other iterations, and it exists to try and bring in top tier athletic talent from countries outside of the United States and Canada.
Louis Rees-Zammit made the big announcement on social media (Instagram and X), stating that this decision was made after “careful consideration.” He announced his intentions to make an NFL roster for the 2024 season through the IPPP:
Rugby Star Louis Rees-Zammit Meets The NFL’s International Player Pathway Program Criteria
The NFL has set forth six requirements for anyone seeking to enter the International Player Pathway Program: (1) 24 years old or younger, (2) out of high school for 4+ years, (3) didn’t play football at a US college, (4) can speak English, (5) doesn’t hold US or Canadian citizenship, and (6) available to travel to the US for 2 months in the Spring.
Louis Rees-Zammit satisfies all of those requirements and could be on his path to NFL stardom. In 2023, the NFL added eight players through the International Player Pathway program. Those players included six from Nigeria, one from Australia, and one from France.
Notable NFL players to come through the International Player Pathway program include Washington Commanders DE Efe Obada, Philadelphia Eagles veteran OT Jordan Mailata, and many others.
Louis Rees-Zammit is fast. He has spent his Youth, Senior, and International career primarily as a Winger (92% of appearances) with 8% of his appearances as a fullback. Here, his speed is on display for the NFL world to see:
It remains to be seen if 22-year-old Louis Rees-Zammit has the required tools for the NFL but having several years of professional rugby under his belt will certainly bolster his case for a roster spot. At 6’3″ and 210 pounds, Louis has the requisite size for a few different positions.
Louis did mention in his NFL IPP program announcement that this doesn’t mean he’s 100% retiring from rugby forever. He said “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 is betting on himself in this situation. Always bet on yourself. Always.