NFL famous person Travis Kelce has issued a warning to Louis Rees-Zammit because the rugby union convert makes an attempt to transition to American soccer.
Whereas Kelce is optimistic concerning the Welshman’s potential, he refused to draw back from the challenges LRZ will face as he tries to make it within the NFL.
The official line is that Rees-Zammit (23) desires to safe a spot on the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs’ 53-man roster as a receiver or operating again, although that is thought of by many to be one thing of an extended shot.
The within line from NFL consultants is that particular groups might supply LRZ a extra real looking path to enjoying time in his debut yr, though he’ll nearly definitely function in pre-season video games later this yr, barring damage.
Kelce (34) has been mentoring Rees-Zammit, drawing on his personal intensive expertise within the league and has suggested Rees-Zammit to be affected person,
“It’s gonna be a humbling expertise at first,” Kelce advised reporters not too long ago. “It’s not simple to only make that leap”.
“They’re two fully completely different video games,” mentioned the tightend. “However he’s an athlete, and that’s what the Chiefs noticed. He’s a sensible child, a sensible participant, so he’s going to have the ability to decide up the offence ultimately, nevertheless it’s going to be a tricky few months for him right here whereas he’s getting acclimated to the NFL.
“We’ve been doing this since we had been youngsters. We’ve been enjoying this recreation, so we simply have these little instincts that we’ve constructed through the years that he has to begin to meet up with. The largest recommendation I gave him was simply attempt to not let it overwhelm you as a lot as it may well. Simply know that everyone believes that you’ve got the potential to have the ability to play. So simply take in as a lot as you possibly can, be taught as a lot as you possibly can within the quick time that you simply’ll have earlier than the season.”
Regardless of the plain hurdles going through the Welshman, Kelce is optimistic that Rees-Zammit’s athleticism and work ethic will give him the absolute best shot at cracking the brand new code.
If the previous Gloucester winger doesn’t make the ultimate roster by the tip of the pre-season in August, he has an settlement to stay with the Chiefs by way of their Worldwide Pathways Program, which ought to span three seasons.
#Chiefs RB Louis Rees-Zammit admits he’s by no means performed softball earlier than then promptly hits a house run #ChiefsKingdom pic.twitter.com/1O00ZNnKNW
— Starcade Media (@StarcadeMediaKC) June 7, 2024
The previous British & Irish Lions vacationer was filmed this week collaborating in a charity softball match and naturally, he hit a house run along with his first swing, regardless of having by no means hit a ball with a bat earlier than in his life aside from cricket.
