It was round this time in 2022 that Louis Rees-Zammit and his brother have been in attendance as mere spectators to observe the New York Giants towards the Inexperienced Bay Packers at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Come October 2024, the 23-year-old finds himself a part of a Jacksonville Jaguars organisation taking part in back-to-back video games within the UK.
“I was watching as a fan on the side hoping one day I’d be able to go out there and be a part of a team. It’s amazing to be here now,” Rees-Zammit stated.
“I’ve been thinking about it since I was a little kid, the opportunities didn’t arise when I was growing up, but now they did and I’m loving being here.”
The previous Wales rugby union worldwide presently occupies a spot on the Jaguars’ apply squad after transferring throughout from the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs in the summertime having come by means of the NFL’s Worldwide Participant Pathway programme.
Rees-Zammit made headlines originally of the yr when he introduced his choice to step away from rugby forward of the Six Nations with a purpose to pursue his dream of taking part in within the NFL.
A testing, toiling transition would await, because it does for any rugby convert or IPP product as they appear to match their present athleticism – already usually primed for soccer – with an in depth information of the Xs and Os. Whereas Rees-Zammit stays centered on persevering with his growth on the apply squad, he insists he will probably be prepared when the time comes for him to hitch the lively roster and step out onto the sphere.
“I’m just working hard every day to try and do what I can do to get an opportunity. And, whenever that comes then I’m going to try and take it with both hands,” he stated.
“But for me it’s just about learning every day and learning from my team-mates, learning from coaches and just doing the little things right, the little details, learning the playbook.
“Clearly, becoming a member of a unique staff the primary week of the season, it may take somewhat bit to regulate and adapt to issues. However, I am studying actually fast and I am working onerous each single day.”
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Former Wales rugby participant Rees-Zammit performed in 4 completely different positions in his Kansas Metropolis Chiefs debut!
Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson delivered a reminder that apply squad gamers are solely a “play or two away from being elevated to the roster”, insisting Rees-Zammit will get his likelihood.
“We love his skill-set, his talent, his speed, his physicality,” Pederson stated. “He’s got great size. Just learn, just continue to learn, and just be patient, opportunity will come.”
Rees-Zammit was amongst these to look at a Flag Soccer occasion with the NFL Basis UK, notably alongside Prince William and Sky Sports activities NFL’s personal Phoebe Schecter.
With it got here the most recent perception into the unprecedented pathways into soccer that had not been round throughout his childhood. Had they been, the duty of absorbing and understanding an NFL playbook is likely to be proving so much simpler, although Rees-Zammit has embraced the problem of making an attempt to grasp the game’s offensive structure.
“It’s definitely a tough experience,” he admitted. “When I first joined the Chiefs, playing running back, I was trying to learn that role and that playbook and you probably have to learn a lot less than when you’re a receiver.
“You need to study all of the routes, all of the ideas, all of the formations, so since I joined the Jags it is taken quite a lot of time.
“I want to learn this as quickly as possible in order to be able to go out there and not think when I’m playing and to know everything when I step up to the line.
“It is taken quite a lot of time, however I am right here and I need to be right here. I do know it may take so much to get a chance, however I do know what I’ve to do, give attention to the small particulars after which anticipate a chance to return.”
Rees-Zammit had initially signed with the Chiefs following his time with the IPP, seeing snaps at working again, vast receiver and on particular groups whereas showing in all three preseason video games for the Tremendous Bowl champions. He was later waived earlier than becoming a member of the Jaguars, the place he converted from working again to receiver.
Though it might not have made life simpler, it did present him with a worthwhile perception into the offensive ideologies of each Andy Reid and Pederson early on in his NFL profession.
“One of the big things was finding a position that would suit me best, and unfortunately it didn’t work out at the Chiefs and playing running back we figured wasn’t the best for me,” he stated.
“Coming here and the Jags giving me the opportunity to play receiver, I feel that suits me a lot more, it allows me to use my speed more than it did at running back. I’m so happy to be here and loving it.”
The Jaguars will face the New England Patriots at Wembley Stadium on Sunday within the last London sport of the 2024 season, arriving on the again of their 35-16 loss to the Chicago Bears at Tottenham in Week Six.
Their newest defeat dropped them to 1-5 on the yr whereas leaving them backside of the AFC South, which means they’ve now gained simply twice of their final 12 video games relationship again to final season.
Quarterback Trevor Lawrence reiterated the necessity to reduce down on pricey penalties and errors, in addition to restoring the enjoyment issue because the Jags search to maintain their season alive.
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Highlights of the Jacksonville Jaguars towards the Chicago Bears from Week Six of the NFL season
“We’re getting ready to try to go win a game this Sunday against New England,” stated Lawrence. “Obviously last week was what it was and you just have to be able to move on quickly in this league, wins or losses. So for us it’s, we’ve turned the page and we’ve got to put our best foot forward and try to go beat New England this week.
“In order that’s the place we’re at. And I believe a part of it’s maintaining the spirits up. I imply, clearly you keep centered and also you keep locked in now greater than ever, however you’ve got additionally received to have enjoyable. It is nonetheless a sport and we’re nonetheless out right here attending to do what we love and attempt to simply take pleasure in it.”
Speaking after Sunday’s game, safety Andre Cisco suggested he felt there had been some ‘quit’ during the second half of his side’s defeat to the Bears.
Head coach Pederson said he has not spoken to Cisco about the comments, but believes there was no malice behind them.
“Andre is clearly a extremely good chief on our soccer staff,” said Pederson. “And generally I am responsible of this too, generally you say stuff out of simply emotion, proper? And it is onerous to not say one thing, proper?
“But I go back to what I said the other day, I just don’t think he meant anything demeaning by it. He’s not pointing the finger at anybody, because he’s in that boat as well, just like we all are.
“So I get the emotional aspect of it, however on the identical time, I believe we have got to proceed to simply press ahead.
“And he obviously will learn from this, and his team-mates will rally around him. They’re not looking at him any different, they want him to perform and play, and that’s what he’ll do.”
Week Seven begins on Thursday night time when the New Orleans Saints (2-4) meet the Denver Broncos (3-3), dwell on Sky Sports activities NFL from 1.15am within the early hours of Friday.
