Rees-Zammit, a former rugby star turned NFL prospect, penned a deal with the Chiefs on March 28, after a successful showing in the NFL’s International Player Pathway pro day. His decision to swap rugby for football was sparked by an aspiration to forge a thriving career in the sport, a decision he made not long ago.
He’s signed a three-year contract in Kansas City, where his skill sets as a running back or perhaps as a wide receiver are a source of interest to the team. However, with the new rules for kick-off creeping in, the 23-year-old acknowledged that he could turn into a return specialist for special teams.
Having only just signed, Rees-Zammit is yet to meet dynamic duo Mahomes and Kelce due to it being offseason. But he divulged that he’s had interactions with them over messages.
“Pat and Travis have messaged me,” he revealed while chatting with The Rugby Pod.
Lightheartedly joking that Mahomes feels is his “best mate” already after having been on chummy terms with him so quickly, Rees-Zammit disclosed what was written in the messages. “Yeah, Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce messaged me saying: ‘Welcome to KC, if you ever need anything, let me know.”
The Chiefs rookie has also made acquaintance with few more members of the team. In Louis’ own words, “I’ve met all the coaches, and they were so lovely to me as well. I’ve met a couple of players; I haven’t met everyone.
“But even just the staff around the building, you just know they have belief in everything they do, and they’re such a professional organization.
“When you step into the facility, you just feel like you’re going to win. They have all their Super Bowl trophies straight ahead of you, and everyone in the building is so confident, they’re so chatty.
“You just feel a belief within the facility itself, so when I went in there, I was just blown away and knew it was the place I wanted to be.
“I really believe in myself, and I really believe that I can come here and make a difference to the team.”
However, adjusting to life as a Chiefs player is a new challenge for the newcomer. He shared: “When I left the facility, and I was coming home on the plane, I was going through security, and some guy was looking at me weirdly.
“I was looking at him, and he was like: ‘Are you a sportsperson? Who do you play for?’
“It felt so strange to say Kansas City Chiefs! It still hasn’t sunk in yet, but it’ll probably sink in when I get to training and meet the boys. It’s been an absolute whirlwind.”
Rees-Zammit is now gearing up for offseason workout programs. “We’ve got a very good plan together,” he confirmed, “all on the same page, and basically, we’ll see how it goes from now.”
