Louis Rees-Zammit Lifts Lid on NFL Journey | The Rugby Pod with Dan Biggar
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 16 พ.ค. 2024
- It's been the biggest news in rugby this year - Welsh Wing Sensation Louis Rees-Zammit quits Rugby just days before a Six Nations Squad announcement to pursue a career in the NFL. Fast forward a few months and he's just signed a 3 year deal with the back to back Super Bowl Winning Kansas City Chiefs.
Big Jim & Dan Biggar catch up with Louis to find out what life is like in the states and how Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce welcomed him to the team...
Listen to the full podcast HERE 🎧 spoti.fi/4cHtD2C
0:00 Getting Picked By The Kansas City Chiefs
4:50 Mates With Kelce & Mahomes
6:29 Rugby v NFL Training
12:10 NFL Money
15:20 Will he make it? - กีฬา
Chiefs fan here - we're ecstatic to have LRZ. He seems a perfect fit both in skill and attitude. He definitely strikes me as a much better fit for the Midwest sort of hospitality we pride ourselves on in this area. I can easily see him being a huge piece on our Special Teams especially with the new kickoff rules as he mentioned. You don't have to know exactly what changed but suffice it to say his particular skills and rugby history sort of makes him a perfect fit for how kickoffs will be handled now. I can also see him being an insanely effective running back with some focus on playing the short screen pass game. He's got the moves. Stoked to have him and we'll take good care of him here in the Chiefs Kingdom. He's one of us now!
P.S. LRZ has an opportunity to be part of a team that achieves the 3-peat - 3 consecutive Superbowl wins, for the first time in NFL history.
Love to see him make it with you guys
Agreed.
Yeah 💯 think the screen will work perfectly.
As Andy Reid has always been one of the most creative offensive minds this does raise the question of whether laterals will become a far more common aspect of the Chiefs 'trick' plays.
I can't wait for him to have his first Arrowhead stadium experience. The loudest outdoor stadium in the world and current Guinness World Record holder at 142.2 decibels.
I am Welsh and want any Americans tuning in to understand this guy was selected as a British and Irish Lion. These guys are the cream of the crop. I hope LRZ excels. Should he do so, I forsee life is going to become very interesting for the governing bodies of world rugby, if NFL teams make top tier rugby players offers they can't refuse. It will also be interesting to see if there is any cross pollination of rugby style moves -- I don't count the tush push -- into NFL plays.
Considering the league minimum in the nfl which probably matches some of the best salaries in rugby I imagine top tier rugby players that have the aptitude to pick up a new sport Will want to give it a go. Why not?
Right? There is NO money in rugby. The absolute elite are getting max 1 million. Most are busting themselves up for basically nothing in American sporting terms. Or soccer, for that matter.
KC loves a player who puts in the effort. We'll take care of him for you!
I've lived in Kansas City my whole life and I haven't been this excited about a player in a long time. Andy Reid will make this kid better at everything he does. He does have his work cut out for him though. Andy has the hardest playbook and runs probably the hardest training camp in the NFL.
I am half Welsh and I am so for him he’s so good and yeah the British and Irish lions and the bees no one better
As an Englishman, I couldn’t be happier for LRZ. I haven’t watched NFL regularly since CH4 on a Sunday evening in the 80’s, but I’m going to be glued to it when he gets a start. Congratulations to Wales for creating such an amazing young talent and GO CHIEFS!! 🏈
Likewise. They should bring back that Sunday evening slot it was great.
Can’t wait to have you as a chiefs fan now!
Blimey. Those gum shields really do protect the teeth.
:) he's certainly gone full American with those pearly whites! I don't know what he usually sounds like - is that his usual sound?
Yes that's what he's always sounded like.
😂
@JB-xd9dr No, his voice has definitely changed a little. His accent is the same, dull Cardiff accent, but there is a difference in his voice because of his "new" teeth.
@@matmul4850 he’s always had those teeth… what are you talking. About 😂
Impressive young man. It take balls to leave your comfort zone and to follow your dreams as he has. Good on him.
Seems like the type of guy who makes everywhere his comfort zone tbf.
Agreed
Following dreams or following money?
@@Philzoid cant it be both?
@@rhyswilliams4893 It's more likely to be for the money because you know, he's Welsh and we aren't American football fans here.
Welcome to the Chiefs. Can't wait to see how he does. Fingers crossed he makes the 53 man squad.
🤞🏻⚡️
Lifelong Chiefs fan, born and raised in NE KCMO. Can’t wait too see what Louis brings. Congratulations.
I just finished "Six Nations: Full Contact" (which was my introduction to the sport of rugby) and was instantly drawn to LRZ. The speed, athleticism, and charisma of this kid is off the charts. As a Kansas City native, I was absolutely delighted to hear of this signing! I'm not sure people are realizing this guy's full potential. Can't wait to see what comes of this!
KC wants to love this guy and he hasn't played a snap for us yet. Excited to see LRZ in Chief's red!
Chiefs fan here as well. I've seen his highlights. The chiefs have an eye for spotting Magic. Rees-Zammit is a beast who has all the tools needed to make it big. He is going to make the roster, and he is going to be so fun to watch. How about those Chieeeeefs!
Yeah baby ! LETS GO CHIEFS!
Another chiefs fan here, can’t wait to see what he can do! Got super hyped when I saw pics of him in Texas with mahomes and the others!!
Chiefs fan here from KC. Can't wait to see you on the pitch!
Chiefs fan here, I'm pulling for LRZ to make the roster!
Good luck Zamm, chiefs fans are rooting for you to make the 53!
NFL training camps are hard; the Chiefs training camp is notoriously the hardest in the NFL.
If you can gut thru it, you’ll get a chance!
Thrilled to see what he can do, and welcome to Chiefs Kingdom.
NFL traning is nothing compared to Rugby
Rugby training is just as hard, if not harder, there is no rotation of attacking and defensive squads in rugby, players are expected to do both. The average ball in play for rugby is around 40 minutes per 80 minute game and there are far fewer stoppages. NFL average ball in play is just above 10 minutes in a 3hr game, with stoppages on average every 6 seconds or so. I think NFL has far more dynamic requirements or as LRZ put it, "explosive" bursts of energy vs rugby's endurance and strength requirements, specifically for the role he would likely play in NFL. I think rugby is far more physically taxing overall but NFL athletes are known to be elite in terms of fitness.
Welsh Chiefs fan and couldn't be more excited, No team will find a spot for this guy better than the Chiefs :) And with MVS's number we know hell catch the ball come Superbowl time :)
LRW comes across so well, genuinely likable character, really pleased for him to get into the NFL!
Chiefs fan here. Excited to see how Zammit does... rooting for him. Like his attitude and motivation to learn. Lets go Chiefs!!
This is the best interview with him that O have yet to date on TH-cam. I think he is more comfortable with people he knows.
As a welsh man I'm sad to see you leave our beautiful game however I really hope you smash it over there you have the hole nation behind you 🏴
My senses tell me this young man is a good person and a winner and will not only succeed but be a star. WELCOME TO KANSAS CITY,MISSOURI AND CHIEFS KINGDOM MR.REESE-ZAMMIT! Can't wait to watch you on the gridiron!
Zam comes across as an intelligent, grounded lad. Whilst it would have been great to see him stay at Gloucester, you can only wish him well in NFL.
Rooting for you all the way from down under in africa mate!
Welcome to CHIEFS Kingdom friend !!!!
Chiefs Kingdom here! Congrats LRZ! I'll like and subscribe cause your a Chief. I want to understand more about rugby. You guys are tough. Welcome to the Kingdom!
He's living the dream, great to see!
Great clip. The test if you are a good lad is whether you can be genuinely excited for someone else's success. Big Jim and Dan B are both great lads and good men. It is as simple as that. Good on you all. Well done Louis, bloody brilliant
Well done Zammo, a huge inspiration to lots of young sports people around the globe.
born and raised in kc welcome bro it seems like you are truly exited and i appreciate it its a chill city man i hope you make your dreams come true
Big Chiefs fan: I can't wait to see LRZ in action! His breakaway speed is amazing and he could break some long runs off for us. SO EXCITED!!!
Love these pods...all killers no fillers. Cheers Gents. Can't wait to see Louis progress.
I have been telling my friends and family about him he will be huge I kc, I love seeing how humble he is.
LRZ, welcome to the Chiefs!! We are super excited to have you…you will do great in NFL with your athleticism, IQ and attitude👍
To those who don't follow the NFL closely:
There's no doubt that Louis faces an uphill battle. And frankly, if he were going anywhere else but Kansas City, I would be betting against his odds to make a final roster.
*BUT* , the Chiefs are noted, not only for excellence, but also for innovative, imaginative, and unorthodox style of play. Andy Reid is a bit of a mad scientist when it comes to offensive/attacking design. And Patrick Mahomes has the talent, intelligence and creativity to do things on a football field (we don't say "pitch" in the US) which have never been done before.
Given that, I can think, off the top of my head, of a dozen different potential uses for LRZ for which he might be uniquely suited. No, he's not going to be a player who is integral on every play during the course of a game (again, in the US, we don't say "match" in the context of the NFL).
There is a current player in the NFL named Taysom Hill. To my mind, he is a good (albeit, not perfect) analogy to the way in which LRZ might be exploited. Hill is nominally a quarterback - obviously, Louis is not. However, Hill rarely plays the position, at least in a conventional sense. They use him as a receiver, a running back, and special teams player. They also use him at quarterback in special situations in which no coach would expose traditional, expensive starting quarterback - sometimes called "wildcat" or "single wing" plays.
Hill and LRZ are physically similar. Hill might be a bit more compact, while Zammit is marginally quicker... But they are more or less similar and there is a great deal of overlap between them.
Hill, who plays for New Orleans, is a local fan favourite for his contributions and versatility. I can easily see a scenario in which Louis might be the same for the Chiefs.
I wish the young man well. I will be rooting for him.
Great explanation, much appreciated.
Taysom Hill is a fabulous player who is criminally underused. If he was at KC Andy Reid would get his full potential out and created a mini revolution in the game.
LRZ sounds confident but gives the good impression that he and the Chiefs have a proper plan for how they can get him to contribute to the team. After all they don’t need a gimmick to attract fans and boost interest from a flagging fan base sick of losing as they are the dominant force with the most compelling player in any team sport globally with Mahomes.
All interesting points but Taysom Hill has a lifetime of playing the game behind him whereas LRZ has no understanding of the game and is athletically poor.
Can't see him doing the same role. At all.
Chiefs also don’t have great receivers (especially with Rice’s issues) compared to the rest of their team which gives him a bit of a better shot too
@buzzbartholomew3714 .....you don't know what the hell you're talking about, MATE!!! Louis knows a hell of a lot more about AMERICAN PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL than you give him credit. You are an embarrassment to your country & family!
Best of luck man !
From Chile 🇨🇱 !!!
Welcome to CHIEFS Kingdom friend !!!!
This is so exciting for this young man. Welcome to America !!
Great interview !! #NFL FAN in Kent.
Half Welsh, lived in Texas and fan of both Welsh rugby and NFL. Louis will be incredible to watch in the NFL and we hope he makes it.
Patrick Mahomes already the GOAT
Just a note for those on the European side of the pond, having a QB like Mahomes who brings his WRs down to his compound in Texas in the offseason is a very unique situation. Most QBs do not do that. Zam will be surrounded by professionals that will share their insight into the position. I'm excited to see his maturation in the sport and will be following him for sure. I'm just glad he didn't stick with Denver. 🤪
Also creates chemistry that’s unmeasurable
I'm happy for him and I really hope that he can crack the nod to get a few games. He looks very excited! Good on you, LRZ!
Such a wonderfully, positive story! All the best Louis, hope you make the first team. Top work Big Jim - great scoop
Can’t wait to see him love the attitude
Good luck Louis. Make us all proud :)
I'm in the KC,Mo. area , I have zero doubt that he will make us all proud my friend !!!!
This is awesome!!!
Future Super Bowl champion. This young man’s athletic ability and Andy Reid combined. Gonna be NICE. Good luck my friend. #3str8
Well done Louis! Everyone’s behind you back home 🏴
I'd love for him to make a roster ... possibly next year. I'll be tuning in to watch him if he makes it.
Goodluck & enjoy the journey. Love your excitement. All the best young fella.
Good luck young man ❤
I'm a British Steelers fan but I'm going to be routing for this kid. Looking forward to following his story.
LOVE IT!!! LETS GO! WELCOME TO THE RED KINGDOM!!
All the very best Louis I hope you smash it and make the 53 squad
He will, I have zero doubt, he is a winner I can tell !!!!
Fucking brilliant! Good luck LRZ! 🔥
Louis Rees Zammit Chiefs will not cut you. They have some needs. Good luck. See you on TV on Sundays.
He spoke abiut t salary here but the endorsements he will make will dwarf that, good looking dude, young and talented plenty company's will be pursuing him
If he does make the 53 man roster and plays well I can see a few more young rugby players join that NFL International player pathway program next year and try and make it just like LRZ has at this years program.
He will make it, I can tell he is a winner !!!!
ZAMS!!!!!!!! The Airport is in Missouri Brov... All good. The Kingdom is all over! #KingdomeKCome
Toub has to be foaming at the mouth considering the new kickoff rules. Nagy will have a really versatile fullback-type weapon near the goal line. Not worried about the grind of camp for him, it's the complexity of Reid's playbook that will be the tough part.
Buffalo bills fan in Wales but good luck to you sir 😊
Very interesting; great bloke & you guys do an equally great job at these interviews; fascinating stuff so thank you
You can measure an athlete in a variety of ways... can't measure heart/desire tho, this young man seems to have that. Good luck to you. Go Chiefs!!!
Love LRZ and huge support for him.
Welcome to CHIEFS Kingdom friend !!!!
Living the dream. Living the dream.
You guys know exactly what we want
i can't stress enough how hard it is to make a NFL 53-man roster. out of that 53-man roster, he is really competing for 3-7 spots for his position which makes his odds of making the cut even more daunting. with that said, i would LOVE to see him make the team in september! he has all the elite physical talents to excel in the NFL but he needs to continue to work on the specific skills to play at an elite level as well. also, it's hard to fully pick up advanced football concepts if you haven't played college ball. the odds are stacked against him but i'm rooting for him - it would be a great story!
Best of luck young man..
I'm stoked to see LRZ play for the back to back superbowl champs. Let's get this threepete
Cant wait to see him suit up.
Super excited for LRZ
Welcome to CHIEFS Kingdom friend !!!!
Please get charlie smyth the irish kicker who has also signed fir nfl team saints on fir chat...hes a character
Thank you friend but unfortunately/fortunately they just signed one known as the 'punt god'.
You gotta get one of the Kelce brothers on here
Trav or Jason?
Get Jason, that guy is such a character.
@@TheRugbyPod Got to get Jason
@TheRugbyPod get Trav on as well. Ask him if Pfizer genuinely paid him $20 million to appear in their covid vaccine ads. The jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers calls Travis Mr Pfizer so those 2 have a bit of beef because Rodgers was anti all the covid stuff that went down and was seen as a bit of a conspiracy guy in the NFL
Good luck Louis, I've been following NFL since 1984 and enjoy it more than our football. What an achievement ! 👏
Good luck to him,brave decision, we will miss you in the rugby but your doing the right thing
LRZ, no matter what happens from now, just know that you're inspiring a lot of people to make a change in their life and back themselves to the hilt. Well in mate. 🙏🏿
First time watcher guys, I'm a KC Chiefs fan but I live in Pennsylvania, USA. Hey Zam, welcome to the US and the NFL! EXCITED to see what you can do! Come visit a KC fan here in Pennsylvania before your head gets too big and your making MILLIONS! 😂😂
YOU'RE GOING TO BE GREAT! AGAIN, WELCOME TO THE KINGDOM!
Hope he goes well. Saw Alex Gray on another podcast say he’s nervous that LRZ keeps saying “they have a plan for me”. He seemed concerned saying their interests will be business and not personal and that interest can flip very quickly. Hope he’s prepared for the cut cut throat nature of the NFl
Couldn't happen to a nicer lad. Good luck boyo👊
Kansas will definitely get on with a welsh lad. Very similar folk. This is great
You can just feel his excitement.
💯 how good
Go on lad
Hope LRZ can make an impact on the pitch over and above as a marketing tactic as this will broaden NFL appeal outside of its traditional markets.
For those that wondered on the contract details........ He signed a Three year $2.83 million(so like 850k year). Minimum salaries for 2024-26 plus $20K signing bonus(pen to paper here ya go). $230K guaranteed salary.(even if cut, he gets this in installments, over 1 year)
Its transparent here in the US. I get if he was not big on explaining it, but here it is usual. In terms of level....its a typical rookie deal for someone say picked in the middle rounds....like. 5th round player. Bottom roster type money....if plays well his realistically could be a 5-7 mil a year guy.
Commited lad i wish him all the best......Wish i had realised my talent at a young age and worked harder...instead of girls and beer...I was 6ft 8ins and a sprint champion but bummed around with local sides. .
I look forward to watching his progress... bloody good for him.x
Well there isnt any doubt we as welsh folk will misd him in the red jersey, but i really hope it goes well for him and that he is successful in his new career.
Dan you are a superstar!
(Zam's nashers are very 'Hollywood' aren't they. Can't take my eyes off them)
Very turkey!
Yes, it reminds me of a horse's.
They certainly grab your attention 😂😂
@@willemsteyn7808Mr Ed?
Overbite looks fake
Its a fight to make that 53 for the season
FairPlay Zam those chompers are shocking butt
Big Jim ... you are smiling ear to ear lol
Like a big scotch Cheshire Cat 😏
Hope he's got a good agent!
What a scoop!!!!
LRZ will shock the NFL with over 1500 all purpose yards his rookie season.
Good luck when making a practice squad
think dan should take up commentating,he is so well spoken and intellegent
I want all of the lads to do well and show how they can not only adapt, but thrive in the NFL! God speed! Where’s the full interview with James Cook?
Search the Big Jim Show wherever you get your podcasts 🎧
American rugby fan here. I'm a huge LRZ fan, and I hope he does well. But everyone should take a breath. He still has a mountain to climb. He's competing against 4-6 running backs in training. Maybe 12 receivers who are all at least good enough to earn a place in training. Also, his training spot costs the Chiefs nothing. If he makes the team, they owe him some chicken feed. If he doesn't, is costs them nothing. I'm weary of the "plan" he thinks they have for them. They don't have a plan for anyone. The plan is, if someone makes a mistake, they get a new guy. If they have a losing season, the GM and coach will be gone. They don't give a shit about career plans for players. Their careers depend on winning now. They need to find the guys who can help them keep their jobs. Everyone in that building is playing for their livelihoods every week.
Welcome to America LRZ. Land of no plans.
I think Kelce is going to retire after this coming season and they’re hoping this young man will be the new TE. I’m a die hard NINERS fan, but I’m really excited to see him play. I think he’s going to do very well!
THIS LAD WILL B MISSED IN WALES 4SURE, BUT IM SURE HE'LL EXCELL IN THE NFL, ALL THE BEST LOUIS LAD , DO US PROUD, AND IF YER SHIT ....WALES WILL AVE YER BACK 🤣🤣🤣 GOODLUCK AND SHOW EM WOT U GOT LAD 🫡💯💪
Welcome to CHIEFS Kingdom friend !!!!
Soon as he gets to America the teeth look different lol 😂
welcome to the Kingdom
Was hoping to learn something about the difference between a rugby camp and an NFL one