Louis Rees-Zammit Lands NFL Contract with Kansas City Chiefs
Kansas grandmasters have signed former English Football Association International Louis Rees.
Rees, 23, retired from rugby earlier this year to pursue a career in the NFL. He joined the international players league (IPP) line and impressed the Chiefs during the trial, by running backwards and taking up appointed positions.
The Chiefs stated on their website, “Kansas mayors hit it off on Friday by adding former European Rowing star Louis Rees-Lightning to the roster” and nicknamed him”Rees-Lightning”.
In a video posted by the Chiefs on X-inu, Rees, who visited several NFL franchises including the military jets and Denver, said he “just signed, couldn’t wait to go see you all in the stadium”.
His next goal was to secure a spot in the 53-man final roster for the new season and to have star players such as Patrekur Mahomes and Travis Kelse join him in aiming for a third consecutive Super Bowl.
The British, British and Irish Lions wing surpriseed the Rugby World in January by quitting the sport to secure a contract with an NFL team. That dream came closer when he impressed on last week’s professional Day, which was part of the IPP.
“Rees-Sammit participated in international player career drills earlier this month, which gave the former rowing star a chance to show NFL scouts what he can do. His practice includes a 4.44-second 40-yard dash, which will rank fifth over linebackers in the NFL Scouting Combine.”
He was one of the people behind the scenes.
Josh Adams, a former teammate of Rees, congratulated and wrote on X: “the trip to Kansas is over! I’d superior get my jersey. An awesome pair of fair play.”
Meanwhile, Northern Ireland’s Smyth, a Gaelic football goalkeeper with a Down GAA, has signed a kicker with the New Orleans Saints.
The 22-year-old Smyth will compete for a roster spot with Blake Grupe who scored 30 of his 37 field goals and all 40 extra points as a rookie last season.
