Louis Rees-Zammit: Former rugby star blocking out 'haters' in bid to realise NFL dream - 'They can write all they want'
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Updated 05/09/2024 at 11:15 GMT+1
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Louis Rees-Zammit says he "doesn't care about the haters" as he continues his efforts to complete a transition from rugby union to the NFL. The former Wales international was let go by the Kansas City Chiefs last week but has since joined the Jacksonville Jaguars practice squad. "I'm working really hard on this dream and to make this come true would mean everything," he said.
Rees-Zammit ‘wants to be a superstar’ – Gatland wishes Wales star well after NFL switch
Video credit: SNTV
Louis Rees-Zammit says he is blocking out the “haters” after the former Wales rugby union star signed for the Jacksonville Jaguars in his bid to complete a “dream” transition to the NFL.
The former Gloucester wing took the rugby world by surprise earlier this year when he announced he was stepping away from rugby union to join the NFL’s International Player Pathway (IPP).
Rees-Zammit impressed enough to join Super Bowl champions the Kansas City Chiefs, but failed to earn a spot in their 53-man NFL roster for the upcoming season and instead joined the Jaguars practice squad last week.
But the 23-year-old told the BBC that he is blocking out any negativity surrounding his efforts to successfully step into a new sport.
"I don't really care about haters," Rees-Zammit said.
"They can say what they want. They are behind their phones, behind their laptops, making comments.
"I don't listen to that kind of stuff. I know what I've got to do to be successful and they can write all they want.
"I'm working really hard on this dream, and to make this come true would mean everything.
“I've got to try and do as much as I can every day to be a better football player, be a better person, and see where that takes me.”
Rees-Zammit burst onto the rugby scene as a teenager with Wales and went on to score 14 tries in 32 international caps.
- Rees-Zammit signs for Jaguars practice squad after Chiefs departure
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He won the 2021 Six Nations and starred on the British & Irish Lions tour of South Africa later that year, before reaching the 2023 Rugby World Cup quarter-finals with Wales.
But the speedster decided in January to try and carve out a career across the Atlantic in American Football.
He impressed several franchises with his draft performance and joined the Chiefs as a running back, but he was let go in the final pre-season roster cuts at the end of August.
Rees-Zammit will now bid to break through in Florida with Jacksonville, who finished second in AFC South last season after a late-season collapse saw them surrender the division title to the Tennessee Titans.
Watch and stream every game of the 2024/25 Gallagher Premiership season, the 2024 Autumn Nations Series and Premiership Women's Rugby on TNT Sports and discovery+
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