The late, great Tom Petty wrote the song that, ultimately, defined Louis Rees-Zammit\u2019s American football adventure. \u201cRunnin\u2019 down a dream, that never would come to me \u2026\u201d Twelve months ago Rees-Zammit was in New Orleans watching the Superbowl and still hoping to carve out a multimillion dollar NFL career. Now here he is, back in a Welsh rugby shirt and eager to make up for lost time.<\/p>\n
Sliding doors and all that. This weekend in America all roads lead to this year\u2019s Superbowl in California<\/a>: the Seattle Seahawks v the New England Patriots . But as Wales\u2019s 25-year-old prodigal son prepares for the contrasting vibes and smells of a sodden Twickenham in February, he insists he still has no regrets about the gridiron flirtation that removed him from Six Nations circulation for two years.<\/p>\n That might sound fanciful given the lightning-quick Rees-Zammit never started a regular-season NFL game. Having abruptly left rugby in January 2024<\/a>, he had a few pre-season run-outs for the Kansas City Chiefs before being released to the Jacksonville Jaguars. Rees-Zammit made their 90-strong training squad only for a back injury and a coaching reshuffle to limit his opportunities. In August last year, he returned to rugby<\/a>. When he calls the past two years \u201ca whirlwind\u201d he is underplaying it.<\/p>\n At least his mother, Maxine, is pleased to have her boy home. \u201cMy mum didn\u2019t really like American football too much \u2013 she was very happy to see me come back,\u201d Rees-Zammit says. In his view, though, the experience made him a more versatile athlete and a better man. \u201cI learned a lot about myself. It was a completely different culture, a completely different game. I think it\u2019s matured me a lot.\u201d<\/p>\n He is also 6kg heavier, slightly quicker and, he believes, more explosive through contact: \u201cI think my agility is a lot better. Now I feel like when I see half a gap I can properly go into it and use my footwork to get through. Previously I was very reliant on my pace. I feel like I\u2019ve got more variety to my game. That\u2019s only going to help me.\u201d<\/p>\n On a damp lunchtime at his club, Bristol, it is good to see a competitive glint back in his eye. No young player enjoys rejection, at home or abroad. And while Rees-Zammit\u2019s iron-clad confidence remains a super-strength, he does now concede that breaking America was always an outside bet. \u201cEssentially it was a shot to nothing. A bit of a punt,\u201d he says. \u201cBut you\u2019ve got to try and back yourself. It\u2019s the same in life. You have to have confidence otherwise someone else is going to take your job.\u201d<\/p>\n Louis Rees-Zammit sprints clear to score Wales\u2019s try during the 20-10 Six Nations defeat by England at the Principality Stadium in 2023. Photograph: Tom Jenkins\/The Guardian<\/p>\n He also now appreciates that being a diehard NFL fan is very different from the reality of playing it for a living. \u201cI prefer watching it than I did playing it. It\u2019s so different to rugby. To be able to get my hands on the ball and create something out of nothing \u2026 that\u2019s my ability. You can\u2019t really do that in American football.\u201d<\/p>\n On the plus side he gave it a good rattle. \u201cIf I\u2019d never done it I would always have regretted it,\u201d he says. \u201cAlthough I didn\u2019t make the roster I still got an experience you can\u2019t really buy.\u201d One memory, in particular, will never leave him. It was the March day he signed on the dotted line at the Chiefs\u2019 HQ at Arrowhead Stadium and then headed into town with his family for a celebratory meal. \u201cI was walking down the street and fans were shouting: \u2018Good luck!\u2019 and \u2018Let\u2019s go!\u2019 out of their car windows. That was pretty crazy. It made me feel famous for a second.\u201d<\/p>\n While he is occasionally recognised in Cardiff \u2013 \u201cWell, a little bit but it\u2019s not the same, is it?\u201d \u2013 not everyone rushed to welcome him back. \u201cI haven\u2019t really had anything from opposition players but you obviously get it from fans. Then again I was getting it from fans before I left!\u201d The inevitable jibes \u2013 \u2018Where\u2019s your helmet?\u2019 \u2013 have been accompanied by harsher online messages. \u201cPeople trying to call you a failure because you tried a different sport. Just trying to put you down really.<\/p>\n \u201cEven when they\u2019re trying to be offensive I find it quite funny. The fact is I went over and gave it a go. I\u2019ve had a mad experience, met some amazing people and learned so much. You\u2019ve got to be brave to back yourself and go and do something you love. I always loved watching American football but it didn\u2019t work out.\u201d<\/p>\n So what is his primary motivation now? \u201cTo wake up every day and try to be the best rugby player in the world. I feel I have the ability and skill set to do that. It\u2019s about performing consistently. Ultimately that\u2019s what the best do.\u201d<\/p>\n Louis Rees-Zammit runs out for the Kansas City Chiefs in a pre-season game against the Jacksonville Jaguars in August 2024. Photograph: Courtney Culbreath\/Getty Images<\/p>\n Few would dispute Wales will benefit from his return. He has scored 16 tries in 35 Tests and the Six Nations suits him. As a 20-year-old he helped Wales win the title in 2021<\/a>, claiming the try of the tournament award with a glorious chip and chase score against Scotland<\/a>. Last time he faced England there was also a smartly-taken interception try from halfway<\/a> at the Principality Stadium in 2023.<\/p>\n