It was around this time in 2022 that Louis Rees-Zammit and his brother were in attendance as mere spectators to watch the New York Giants against the Green Bay Packers at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Come October 2024, the 23-year-old finds himself part of a Jacksonville Jaguars organisation playing back-to-back games in the UK.
“I was watching as a fan on the side hoping one day I’d be able to go out there and be a part of a team. It’s amazing to be here now,” Rees-Zammit said.
“I’ve been thinking about it since I was a little kid, the opportunities didn’t arise when I was growing up, but now they did and I’m loving being here.”
The former Wales rugby union international currently occupies a spot on the Jaguars’ practice squad after moving across from the Kansas City Chiefs in the summer having come through the NFL’s International Player Pathway programme.
Rees-Zammit made headlines at the beginning of the year when he announced his decision to step away from rugby ahead of the Six Nations in order to pursue his dream of playing in the NFL.
A testing, toiling transition would await, as it does for any rugby convert or IPP product as they look to match their existing athleticism – already often primed for football – with a detailed knowledge of the Xs and Os. While Rees-Zammit remains focused on continuing his development on the practice squad, he insists he will be ready when the time comes for him to join the active roster and step out onto the field.
“I’m just working hard every day to try and do what I can do to get an opportunity. And, whenever that comes then I’m going to try and take it with both hands,” he said.
“But for me it’s just about learning every day and learning from my team-mates, learning from coaches and just doing the little things right, the little details, learning the playbook.
“Obviously, joining a different team the first week of the season, it’s going to take a little bit to adjust and adapt to things. But, I’m learning really quick and I’m working hard every single day.”
Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson delivered a reminder that practice squad players are only a “play or two away from being elevated to the roster”, insisting Rees-Zammit will get his chance.
“We love his skill-set, his talent, his speed, his physicality,” Pederson said. “He’s got great size. Just learn, just continue to learn, and just be patient, opportunity will come.”
Rees-Zammit was among those to appear at a Flag Football event with the NFL Foundation UK, notably alongside Prince William and Sky Sports NFL’s own Phoebe Schecter.
With it came the latest insight into the unprecedented pathways into football that had not been around during his childhood. Had they been, the task of absorbing and understanding an NFL playbook might be proving a lot easier, though Rees-Zammit has embraced the challenge of trying to master the sport’s offensive architecture.
“It’s definitely a tough experience,” he admitted. “When I first joined the Chiefs, playing running back, I was trying to learn that role and that playbook and you probably have to learn a lot less than when you’re a receiver.
“You have to learn all the routes, all the concepts, all the formations, so since I joined the Jags it’s taken a lot of time.
“I want to learn this as quickly as possible in order to be able to go out there and not think when I’m playing and to know everything when I step up to the line.
“It’s taken a lot of time, but I’m here and I want to be here. I know it’s going to take a lot to get an opportunity, but I know what I have to do, focus on the small details and then wait for an opportunity to come.”
Rees-Zammit had initially signed with the Chiefs following his time with the IPP, seeing snaps at running back, wide receiver and on special teams while appearing in all three preseason games for the Super Bowl champions. He was later waived before joining the Jaguars, where he switched over from running back to receiver.
Although it may not have made life easier, it did provide him with a valuable insight into the offensive ideologies of both Andy Reid and Pederson early on in his NFL career.
“One of the big things was finding a position that would suit me best, and unfortunately it didn’t work out at the Chiefs and playing running back we figured wasn’t the best for me,” he said.
“Coming here and the Jags giving me the opportunity to play receiver, I feel that suits me a lot more, it allows me to use my speed more than it did at running back. I’m so happy to be here and loving it.”
The Jaguars will face the New England Patriots at Wembley Stadium on Sunday in the final London game of the 2024 season, arriving on the back of their 35-16 loss to the Chicago Bears at Tottenham in Week Six.
Their latest defeat dropped them to 1-5 on the year while leaving them bottom of the AFC South, meaning they have now won just twice in their last 12 games dating back to last season.
Quarterback Trevor Lawrence reiterated the need to cut down on costly penalties and mistakes, as well as restoring the enjoyment factor as the Jags seek to keep their season alive.
“We’re getting ready to try to go win a game this Sunday against New England,” said Lawrence. “Obviously last week was what it was and you just have to be able to move on quickly in this league, wins or losses. So for us it’s, we’ve turned the page and we’ve got to put our best foot forward and try to go beat New England this week.
“So that’s where we’re at. And I think part of it is keeping the spirits up. I mean, obviously you stay focused and you stay locked in now more than ever, but you’ve also got to have fun. It’s still a game and we’re still out here getting to do what we love and try and just enjoy it.”
Speaking after Sunday’s game, safety Andre Cisco suggested he felt there had been some ‘quit’ during the second half of his side’s defeat to the Bears.
Head coach Pederson said he has not spoken to Cisco about the comments, but believes there was no malice behind them.
“Andre is obviously a really good leader on our football team,” said Pederson. “And sometimes I’m guilty of this too, sometimes you say stuff out of just emotion, right? And it’s hard to not say something, right?
“But I go back to what I said the other day, I just don’t think he meant anything demeaning by it. He’s not pointing the finger at anybody, because he’s in that boat as well, just like we all are.
“So I get the emotional side of it, but at the same time, I think we’ve got to continue to just press forward.
“And he obviously will learn from this, and his team-mates will rally around him. They’re not looking at him any different, they want him to perform and play, and that’s what he’ll do.”
Week Seven begins on Thursday night when the New Orleans Saints (2-4) meet the Denver Broncos (3-3), live on Sky Sports NFL from 1.15am in the early hours of Friday.
