Christian Scotland-Williamson, a former rugby player who transitioned to the NFL, has some straightforward advice for Louis Rees-Zammit. Scotland-Williamson reflected on his experiences, recounting the early days of trials and rigorous adjustments. The culture shock of relentless critiques and the pressure to perform was a stark departure from his rugby days. “Coach Mike Tomlin said to me: ‘I don’t care where you come from – if you can help us win, you’ll play’. That wasn’t something that I had never experienced in rugby.”

The complexity of the NFL playbook posed another significant hurdle. Scotland-Williamson had to navigate through an extensive array of plays, a challenge compounded by unfamiliar terminology and strategic nuances. “The quicker you can learn the game, the faster you can play,” he advised Rees-Zammit.

He also shared counsel on how he could smoothen his transition from rugby to football. “When I first got there, I packed on 10 kilos of muscle that I then had to lose in my second year,” he shared. But this was followed by a realization that maintaining speed was equally crucial, leading to a shift in his training approach in the subsequent year. “… I wanted to stay faster as well. In rugby, I wasn’t allowed to be in the gym more than twice a week, whereas in America you go to the gym every single day.”

Even though he’s made it to the NFL, he’ll need to do more to make it to the active squad.

How can a rugby player join the NFL?

Rees-Zammit recently made the switch from rugby to football. That, too, is true with the defending Super Bowl champs, the Chiefs! He’s joining from the International Player Pathway Programme. Even though Louis is currently in the practice squad, he’s aspiring to secure a spot on the Chiefs’ active roster. If he does, he’ll be the sixth player from the program to do so. Other notable success stories include Jordan Mailata of the Philadelphia Eagles and Efe Obada of the Washington Commanders, who have carved significant roles within their teams.

In an exciting development for 2024, the NFL is set to offer each of its 32 teams an extra practice squad slot exclusively reserved for IPP graduates. This move could open doors for talents like Louis Rees-Zammit. This initiative recognizes the potential of IPP players and provides them with a valuable foothold in the league.

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At just 23, having already made his mark as a celebrated Welsh rugby international and a standout player for Gloucester, his sudden announcement to leave rugby behind for an intense 10-week training program in Florida surprised everyone. This bold move, however, seems to have been a well-calculated risk, as he’s now on the brink of signing a contract rumored to be worth $900,000 (£703,900), marking a significant milestone in his athletic career.

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