Rees-Zammit's NFL dream is not over - Wade

Louis Rees-Zammit and Christian Wade have both tried to switch sports

Gloucester wing Christian Wade says Louis Rees-Zammit's NFL dream is not over after the former Wales rugby union star was not selected in the Kansas City Chiefs' 53-man squad for the 2024 season.

Rees-Zammit, who quit rugby in January to pursue a career in the NFL, has been training with the Chiefs throughout the offseason.

The 23-year-old played in all three of their pre-season games, but missed out on the NFL's 'cutdown day'.

Teams have an offseason training squad of 90 players and but had to select 53 players for the start of the season before Tuesday's deadline.

Another team can sign Rees-Zammit for a practice squad with his hopes of playing during the regular season also not over.

Wade also attempted to make the breakthrough in American football, spending three seasons with the Buffalo Bills before returning to rugby union.

He insists the door is not closed on Rees-Zammit's dream despite his setback this week.

"It is completely different, the way sport over there works," said Wade.

"Just to be in the NFL and be able to represent the badge is the goal. For him to do that is success in itself.

"Anything else he does is a bonus. Now it is up to him to try and put himself in a position to be able to contribute as much as possible.

"Contributing, whether it is just be being in the building, giving good reps in practice, getting game-time, making good plays.

"That is all everyone is trying to do, get to the league and once they get there just try to survive. That is what it is."

Tough transition

Rees-Zammit's NFL journey began with a 10-week training camp as part of the NFL's International Player Pathway (IPP).

He was then signed by the Chiefs, who have won the past two Super Bowls, and although he was earmarked as a running back, he played in a variety of positions during pre-season as they tried to identify his best role.

Wade joined the Buffalo Bills under the IPP programme in 2019.

He scored a 65-yard touchdown on his Bills debut in pre-season but never made a regular season appearance.

"It is a tough transition," added Wade.

"A lot of the time people try and compare it to how sport is over here in England and Europe, but there is no real comparison.

"He wouldn't necessarily have not made the team based on bad or good performances.

"There are a load of things that come into it that have nothing to do with him as a person or a player.

"The transition is hard for anybody, even the guys who have been playing from high school and college."

Returning to rugby

Wade, 32, is back in rugby union after joining Racing 92 before linking up with Gloucester, Rees-Zammit's old club.

"It's funny, things just kind of pan out that way," said Wade.

"I left to go to the NFL and have come back and he has left to go to the NFL from Gloucester and I am at the club he was at.

"So it's weird how things work out but everything happens for a reason."

Wade insisted his stint in America has helped him.

"I think I have matured in a different way," he said.

"Different experiences, some stuff that's really solidified the mindset I had already.

"But I wasn't really able to nurture that in this environment. So going over there, I was able to expand it a little bit more and add to it as well."

Arriving at Gloucester

Christian Wade has scored 82 Premiership tries

Wade outlined how he then ended up at Kingsholm.

"After getting injured in America, I was 31 and the NFL is a young man's game," said Wade.

"I contemplated coming back to rugby after six months out injured. I didn't want to be running around trying to get on to new teams and the opportunity to go and play at Racing came up, which was amazing.

"I was there for two years and then, I am not sure if Louis had left or Gloucester had come to me first, but my contract was up with Racing and the opportunity came up to come back to the Premiership.

"I thought it was a great opportunity to come back with a team that has got a lot of potential to be at the top of the league.

"Six years away is a long time to be away, even though it has gone quickly, so much has happened.

"I am looking forward to getting back out there. There are so many familiar stadiums I have played in it will be good to get back to."