Who is Louis Rees-Zammit, the footballer who is ditching NFL for rugby?

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

Louis Rees-Zammit, a Welsh athlete, initially excelled in rugby. He then switched to American football, joining the Kansas City Chiefs. After a brief stint, he moved to the Jacksonville Jaguars' practice squad. Injuries hampered his progress. Rees-Zammit has now announced his return to rugby. He expressed excitement about resuming his rugby career. Fans have welcomed his decision.

Louis Rees-Zammit is a Welsh athlete whose professional career has spanned two major sports: rugby union and American football.

He rose to prominence in rugby between 2018 and 2023, earning accolades as a dynamic winger for Wales. His international highlights include an Autumn Nations Cup win over Georgia in 2020, a trio of Six Nations victories in 2021, and strong performances in the 2023 Rugby World Cup, with wins against Fiji, Portugal, and Georgia.

In January 2024, Rees-Zammit made headlines by switching to American football, joining the Kansas City Chiefs as a running back. Although he appeared in a preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, he didn't make the final squad.

Released in August 2024, he joined the Jaguars' practice squad as a wide receiver but was not retained after the season. In February 2025, Jacksonville offered him a spot on their 90-man roster, but by April he returned to the practice squad. A lower back injury during training camp in July hampered his progress, and on July 31, he announced his return to rugby via Instagram.

Sharing a rugby photo with fans, Rees-Zammit wrote: "I've got an exciting announcement to make! I've decided to leave the NFL and return to rugby! It's been a great experience, but it's time to come home... There's only one thing on my mind - coming back to rugby and doing what I do best."

Speaking to Sky Sports on August 1, he reflected: "The competition is so high... It's something that I really wanted to do. It was my dream. I've given it a good go, maybe it hasn't worked out. So, you know, it's the perfect time now."

Many have applauded his journey. One fan commented, "Fair play! You gave it a shot and now you can carry on playing at the highest level of rugby." Another said, "NFL's loss is rugby's gain. Welcome home."

Rees-Zammit's transatlantic sporting journey may not have ended in an NFL career, but it earned him admiration for his ambition -- and set the stage for a highly anticipated rugby comeback.