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 mentioned.
“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’ observe squad after shifting throughout from the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs in the summertime having come by the NFL’s Worldwide Participant Pathway programme.
Rees-Zammit made headlines at the start of the yr when he introduced his choice to step away from rugby forward of the Six Nations with the intention 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 give the impression of being to match their current athleticism – already typically primed for soccer – with an in depth data of the Xs and Os. Whereas Rees-Zammit stays targeted on persevering with his improvement on the observe squad, he insists he will probably be prepared when the time comes for him to affix the energetic 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 mentioned.
“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 workforce the primary week of the season, it may take a bit of bit to regulate and adapt to issues. However, I am studying actually fast and I am working arduous 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 observe squad gamers are solely a “play or two away from being elevated to the roster”, insisting Rees-Zammit will get his probability.
“We love his skill-set, his talent, his speed, his physicality,” Pederson mentioned. “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 newest 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 may be proving loads 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.
“It’s a must to study all of the routes, all of the ideas, all of the formations, so since I joined the Jags it is taken loads 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 loads of time, however I am right here and I need to be right here. I do know it may take loads to get a possibility, however I do know what I’ve to do, deal with the small particulars after which watch for a possibility to come back.”
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 could 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 mentioned.
“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 ultimate 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 received simply twice of their final 12 video games relationship again to final season.
Quarterback Trevor Lawrence reiterated the necessity to minimize 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,” mentioned 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 feel a part of it’s conserving the spirits up. I imply, clearly you keep targeted and also you keep locked in now greater than ever, however you have additionally received to have enjoyable. It is nonetheless a sport and we’re nonetheless out right here attending to do what we love and try 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 workforce,” said Pederson. “And typically I am responsible of this too, typically you say stuff out of simply emotion, proper? And it is arduous 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 similar time, I feel we have 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), stay on Sky Sports activities NFL from 1.15am within the early hours of Friday.
