On a Friday night a few weeks ago, Louis Rees-Zammit’s family got a glimpse of Arrowhead Stadium.
They were exposed to the noise, colors and electricity that surrounds the 76,000-seat Kansas City Chiefs stadium.
Pop star Morgan Wallen had launched a two-show takeover, so they pulled out all the stops for a night of country music. It was a spectacular sight.
Wallen walked away alongside Patrick Mahomes, the quarterback who has turned the Chiefs into the NFL’s new dynasty, and Travis Kelce, the superstar tight end who spent much of the summer following girlfriend Taylor Swift on a world tour. On Saturday, it was the Welshman’s turn to join his new teammates onstage.
His entrance was a little more subdued — a pre-season runout against the Detroit Lions. But for Rees-Zammit it was a taste of life in his new home. Next week, the 23-year-old Welshman will find out if it could be his last.
Seven months have passed since Rees-Zammit quit rugby union to join the NFL’s International Player Pathway. He survived a three-month boot camp and signed a three-year deal — reportedly worth £2.19 million ($2.83 million) — with the back-to-back Super Bowl champions. On September 5, the Chiefs begin their title defense against the Baltimore Ravens. The question is whether Rees-Zammit will be on the field or watching from afar.
Louis Rees-Zammit has overcome his injury concerns and made his debut against the Detroit Lions
It’s been seven months since Rees-Zammit left rugby union to join the NFL’s International Player Pathway
Rees-Zammit scored 14 tries in 32 caps for Wales during his rugby union career
It’s far from a sure thing. It’s the risk he took. NFL teams are deep into training camp right now, when up to 91 players are vying for 53 roster spots. It’s a cutthroat business, and D-Day is coming.
“I’m not going to become the best player in the world overnight… I’d never played this sport until a week ago,” Rees Zammit said after the game against the Lions.
“People try to put me down, but I keep working really hard every day and learning as much as I can.”
Nowhere does sports and showmanship—and scandal—combine better than in the NFL. Nowhere does the spotlight burn brighter than in Kansas City. Days after winning the Super Bowl, the Chiefs’ victory parade degenerated into a deadly mass shooting, and the unrest has barely abated since.
Wide receiver Rashee Rice is under investigation for a 119-mph car crash that involved a half-dozen vehicles. Defensive lineman Isaiah Buggs was released — then sentenced to a year of hard labor — after charges of domestic violence and animal cruelty. B.J. Thompson, 25, had a seizure during a team meeting and went into cardiac arrest.
At Arrowhead, Wallen performed in a Chiefs jersey bearing the number of Harrison Butker, the kicker who recently caused a backlash by suggesting that one of the “most important” roles for women is that of “housewife.” Meanwhile, Rees-Zammit is trying to make a dream come true.
Life was a lot quieter in Gloucester, where he had established himself as a rising rugby superstar. The opportunities here, however, are enormous. If he can get on the field.
Teams have until Aug. 27 to trim the fat, and Rees-Zammit currently sits fifth in the Chiefs’ pecking order of running backs. Most rosters will feature three or four. If he’s not on the roster, the Welshman will spend a year in the shadow of the practice squad. Christian Wade never played a snap in the NFL before returning to rugby with the Buffalo Bills.
Rees-Zammit, who reportedly gained a fair amount of weight over the summer, has certainly turned heads.
The 23-year-old is said to have gained weight over the summer and gained more than a kilo
“I’m not going to become the best player in the world overnight… I’d never played this sport until a week ago,” Rees Zammit said after the game against the Lions.
Louis Rees-Zammit was spotted exploring Kansas City with SI model Xandra Pohl in a swimsuit
Neither Rees-Zammit nor Pohl made any statement about their relationship amid speculation
“I love him. I love the way he works,” assistant head coach Dave Toub said. “His athleticism is unreal,” Mahomes added. NFL teams have a playbook the size of an Argos catalog, so Rees-Zammit typically sits in meetings until 8 p.m. and then spends two hours studying. That work doesn’t go unnoticed.
Thanks to rugby, his versatility could prove crucial. Although Rees-Zammit is listed as a running back, his immediate future may lie on special teams — punts, kickoffs, field goals.
In his NFL debut against the Jacksonville Jaguars, the Welshman carried the ball, caught the ball, made a tackle and even returned a kickoff. His cameo against the Lions included taking another kickoff, returning a kickoff and operating as a wide receiver. Head coach Andy Reid has suggested that Rees-Zammit’s hopes of reaching 53 will likely hinge on his impact on special teams.
Fortunately, he timed the move well. A new kickoff rule — designed to encourage players to run the ball back — has made versatile players who can kick, tackle, catch and attack open space more valuable. But uncertainty still looms.
Midway through his pre-season debut, Rees-Zammit found himself sitting next to Kelce on the Chiefs bench.
In his NFL debut against the Jacksonville Jaguars, the Welshman carried the ball, caught the ball, made a tackle and even took a kickoff
Head coach Andy Reid has suggested that Rees-Zammit’s (pictured) hopes of making the 53 will likely hinge on his impact on special teams
“What season is this for you? 13?” he asked the tight end. “12,” Kelce replied. The most recent one ended with a third Super Bowl and an afterparty in Las Vegas with his significant other. “Not bad, huh?” Rees-Zammit said. The clock is ticking down to the Welshman’s first.
There’s only one more audition left — against the Chicago Bears — to prove he deserves to rub shoulders with the elite. To prove he can make Arrowhead shine, too.