Louis Rees-Zammit is already making high profile friends after moving Stateside.
The former Wales rugby union star shocked the sports world recently after quitting the game he was brought up on to fulfil his lifelong ambition of becoming an NFL player.
The ex winger got his wish when the back-to-back Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs signed him to a three-year contract after he impressed in the NFL’s International Player Pathway Program (IPPP).
Kansas City boast two of the most famous names in the game in Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce, and Rees-Zammit recently revealed he’s been in contact with both.
The 23-year-old speedster was a guest on The Rugby Pod this week with former Scotland international Jim Hamilton and Wales legend Dan Biggar.
Rees-Zammit was asked if Kelce had opened the door for his red carpet arrival to which he said: “To be fair, Pat and Travis have messaged me.
“Hang on! We’re not letting him get away with calling him Pat! Not a chance!” Biggar responded.
“Yeah, he’s my best mate now!” Rees-Zammit joked.
“Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce [text me] just saying: ‘Welcome to KC. If I ever need anything then let me know.'”
“F***ing hell!” Hamilton exclaimed.
The Chiefs organization has made a point of reaching out to Rees-Zammit personally, which is precisely the kind of thing that persuaded the Welshman to join the franchise.
In fact, head coach Andy Reid was so keen for Rees-Zammit to join his team that he called and messaged him directly – something ‘Big Red’ rarely does.
Speaking on The Big Jim Show, James Cook, the head of the IPPP and Ree-Zammit’s NFL mentor, spoke about the lengths Reid and the Chiefs went to in order to acquire the speedster.
“Credit to the Chiefs, their coach Andy Reid was texting, calling him, their General Manager Brett Veach was texting, calling him,” Cook said.
“When you see that kind of buy-in from the club, you know they’re serious about it.
“The GM told Louis: ‘Coach Reid doesn’t call everyone, he doesn’t even call everyone on their 90-man roster when they go into training camp.
“So believe that we’re all in on this and we’re committed to you.”
Lightning-quick Rees-Zammit is 6ft 3in, weighs 200lbs, and is widely expected to play wide receiver or running back.
However, some NFL experts think he could be a ‘secret weapon’ on special teams next season, particularly after the NFL made a major rule change to kickoffs starting in 2024.
Rees-Zammit’s unique blend of speed and size will be a welcome addition to the Chiefs who are bidding to become the first team to win an NFL three-peat – three consecutive Super Bowl titles.
The Welsh star was one of 16 players to take part in the IPP, a ten-week crash course designed to teach the required skills to succeed in the NFL.
He is said to have impressed numerous league scouts at his pro day and posted a 4.43 time in his 40-yard dash as well as a 9ft 7in broad jump and 29-inch vertical jump.
Rees-Zammit will join the offseason roster for the Chiefs but will still have to prove himself in order to make their final 53-man roster for next season.
It remains to be seen if he’s part of the Chiefs roster come Week 1 of the new NFL season.
But the fact all 32 NFL teams will be given a 17th roster spot on the practice squad specifically for an international player certainly helps his chances.
The defending Super Bowl champions have made a number of interesting roster moves to strengthen ahead of the new season.
They lost star cornerback L’Jarius Sneed to the Titans but resigned other defensive stalwarts Chris Jones, Drue Tranquill and Mike Danna.
Reid’s coaching staff have also added Hollywood Brown to their wideout room and have found a Super Bowl-winning QB to backup Mahomes.
The Chiefs are certainly shaping up nicely for the new season and have this month’s draft to further bolster their squad.
