Louis Rees-Zammit's NFL dream isn't over despite not making Kansas City Chiefs 53-man roster
Louis Rees-Zammit in action for Wales at last year's Rugby World Cup in France
©Photo by Michael Steele - World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Images
It might seem bizarre to start an article by discussing a stag do in Madrid but bear with me.
A weekend away to celebrate a friend getting married was always going to consist of one or two cold beers, a lot of laughs at each other's expense and, in the case of this particular group, conversations about sport.
An overwhelming majority of the 'lads' on this trip were from Wales so chats about their beloved Wrexham AFC cropped up frequently, but so did the topic of one of their nation's sporting stars.
Louis Rees-Zammit's move into the NFL became a talking point, with a few of us confident that the Welshman would secure a place on the Kansas City Chiefs' 53-man roster ahead of the 2024 season.
However, the 23-year-old - who quit rugby union earlier this year - was not selected in the Chiefs' immediate plans leaving his future in the sport up in the air.
The news of Rees-Zammit being 'cut' by the Chiefs was sent into the obligatory 'stag-do' WhatsApp group - and met with some further ribbing for those who had backed him - but for the man himself, he could still yet have the last laugh.
Rees-Zammit could still be picked up by one of the other 31 NFL teams - with The Telegraph reporting the former Gloucester winger might move to Jacksonville Jaguars - or he may be assigned a spot on the Chiefs' practice squad.
Each team is allowed up to 17 practice squad players, who may be promoted to the main roster or signed to another club during the season. One of those spots is allocated through the International Player Pathway (IPP) programme which Rees-Zammit came through.
The Chiefs have won back-to-back Super Bowls so earning a place on their competitive roster isn't an easy task. However, Rees-Zammit - who played in three pre-season games for Andy Reid's side - may stay on as part of the club's practice squad where he will be able to develop his skills and be on standby should injuries occur.
"It is completely different, the way sport over there works," said current Gloucester winger Christian Wade, who joined the Buffalo Bills under the IPP programme in 2019.
"Just to be in the NFL and be able to represent the badge is the goal. For him to do that is success in itself. Anything else he does is a bonus. Now it is up to him to try and put himself in a position to be able to contribute as much as possible.
"Contributing, whether it is just being in the building, giving good reps in practice, getting game-time, making good plays.
"That is all everyone is trying to do, get to the league and once they get there just try to survive. That is what it is."
Wade never made a regular-season appearance for the Bills and now finds himself back in the Gallagher Premiership with Gloucester but in terms of Rees-Zammit, returning to rugby union doesn't seem to be on his radar regardless of what happens this season.
The dedication he has shown to giving the NFL a good crack arguably cannot be questioned especially when you look at his regular updates on social media since moving across the pond. Why would LZR immediately throw in the towel after putting in such hard yards to get to this point?
In addition, given he signed a three-year contract with the Chiefs in March, he may well get the chance to impress at next year's training camp and in pre-season games if he isn't snapped up by another NFL franchise.
