Former rugby star-turned-NFL-player Louis Rees-Zammit was seen locked in conversation with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell prior to the Jacksonville Jaguars‘ match against the Chicago Bears in London.
Rees-Zammit was signed to the Jaguars’ practice squad in August after he was let go by defending champions Kansas City Chiefs.
Although NFL rules permit teams to promote two members of the practice squad to the 55-player roster on game day, Rees-Zammit was not selected for the game at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Instead, the 23-year-old was left to lap-up the pre-game activities and conduct media duties.
Rees-Zammit sported a teal Jaguars hoodie along with black trousers and black Nike trainers as he engaged in conversation with Goodell.
Louis Rees-Zammit was pictured in conversation with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell
The pair had a chat before the Jacksonville Jaguars’ game against the Chicago Bears in London
Rees-Zammit is yet to suit up for the Jaguars since he was added to their practice squad
Perhaps Goodell was reminding Rees-Zammit he could still suit up for the Jaguars in London next Sunday as the New England Patriots make the journey over for a match at Wembley Stadium.
Even if he doesn’t see any time on the field, making the game day roster would represent a major step forward for Rees-Zammit in his journey to become an NFL star.
The 23-year-old bravely walked away from a rugby union career in which he had become the youngest-ever player to be selected by the British and Irish Lions at 20 years and 93 days for the tour to South Africa in 2021.
Rees-Zammit also represented Wales at the 2023 Rugby World Cup where he scored five tries in as many games.
He retired from rugby union in January this year in order to pursue his NFL dream and entered the league’s International Player Pathway Program.
The Chiefs, who boast the likes of Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce on their roster, signed the 23-year-old to a contract to play running back.
Rees-Zammit made three appearances for the Chiefs in pre-season but was cut on August 26, although the Jaguars picked him up for their practice squad two days later.
Jacksonville also decided to re-train the former rugby union star as a wide receiver instead of a running back, a position he felt suited him more.
The 23-year-old joined the Jaguars just two days after he was cut by the Kansas City Chiefs
Rees-Zammit was first singed by the Chiefs to play as a running back but it didn’t work out
The former Wales rugby union international featured for the Chiefs three times in preseason
Rees-Zammit was not alone in terms of star power who had ventured to Tottenham’s home ground to take in the second of three NFL games in London this season.
Rapper Central Cee was snapped alongside Goodell while Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou swapped jerseys and posed for a picture with Chicago punter Tory Taylor, who is a fellow Australian.
Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy was another who turned out to watch as he, Goodell and Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, had a chat before the game.
