Kaylah Walton
Welsh rugby player Louis Rees-Zammit took a significant step in his career this year by shifting from rugby union fame in the UK to the challenging realm of the NFL.
The 23-year-old athlete penned a three-year deal with the Kansas City Chiefs, who are the current Super Bowl champions, but was released from the 53-man roster after the training camp in August.
Currently, Rees-Zammit has joined the Jacksonville Jaguars as a member of their practice squad, striving to keep his NFL aspirations alive.
Support from Taylor Swift
In a surprising turn, Rees-Zammit shared recently that he received encouragement from pop icon Taylor Swift during his NFL journey.
In an interview with RugbyPass TV’s “Walk the Talk,” he explained how he attended Swift’s concert during her Eras Tour in Cardiff, where he was gifted a handwritten note from the artist.
With Swift in a romantic relationship with Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, she sent her best wishes to him for his training camp.
The Welsh player expressed his amazement at receiving a letter from Swift, revealing that he keeps it safely at his Cardiff home.
Though he was unable to secure a spot on the Kansas City roster, Rees-Zammit cherishes the supportive environment provided by his teammates and their significant others.
He opened up about the harsh reality of being released from the team, describing the situation as “cut-throat.” After a training period with the Chiefs, he received a text indicating he had not made the final roster, a common outcome in the NFL.
“Without guaranteed money, they can let you go whenever,” he remarked.
Even though he had constructive discussions with the Chiefs’ coaching staff, he ultimately faced strong competition from the receiving unit.
Now leveraging his time with the Jacksonville Jaguars, Rees-Zammit is dedicated to his role and remains positive about his future.
“I’m thrilled to be with the Jags,” he stated, resolved to pursue his NFL ambitions.
