Rees-Zammit admits NFL stint left him “wasting his talent” before Bristol return
Wales wing Louis Rees-Zammit says his 18-month NFL experiment left him “wasting his talent”, but he has no regrets after signing with Bristol Bears and eyeing a Wales comeback.
Louis Rees-Zammit has admitted his NFL adventure left him “wasting his talent”, but says he has no regrets after signing with Bristol Bears.
The 24-year-old Wales and Lions wing pursued contracts with the Kansas City Chiefs and Jacksonville Jaguars after quitting rugby on the eve of the 2024 Six Nations. He has now returned to union with a one-year deal at Bristol, aiming to regain form and push for a Wales recall.
Brutal NFL reality
Rees-Zammit struggled to earn meaningful reps in the NFL without the US college background. “I felt like I was wasting my talent,” he said, citing limited practice opportunities and the steep learning curve of a new sport.
No regrets
Despite not featuring in a competitive game, he values training alongside stars like Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce. “Would I regret not trying? That would be the biggest regret,” he added.
Back to rugby
Bristol’s attacking style and proximity to his Cardiff home attracted him back to union. He plans to be match-fit for the Premiership opener against Leicester on September 28 and hopes to challenge for a Wales recall. “The skill is still there; it’s about conditioning for rugby’s repeated sprints and high ball-in-play time,” he said, noting he still hit 23mph despite adding 10kg.
Rees-Zammit believes his NFL experiment was invaluable but confirms rugby remains the sport where he can best express his talent.
This topic was reported by BBC Sport.
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