NFL-Rees-Zammit joins 15 others chasing NFL dream in Florida

Wales winger Louis Rees-Zammit, who quit rugby union for the American gridiron, began his dream of playing in the National Football League on Thursday joining 15 other international hopefuls at a Florida training camp.

It marks another step on the International Player Pathway (IPP) for Rees-Zammit that he hopes will lead to an NFL career, where the minimum salary is $750,000.

"We are thrilled to welcome the International Player Pathway program Class of 2024," said Peter O’Reilly, executive vice president international, club business and major events at the NFL in a statement. "As we focus on the global growth of the game, expanding international talent within the NFL is critical — connecting our sport with fans across the world.

"The 2024 program participants are an elite, diverse group of athletes and we look forward to following their journeys in the months ahead."

Just minutes before he was set to be named in Wales' Six Nations squad on Tuesday, Rees-Zammit announced his career change and shortly after was on his way to Bradenton, Florida for an intensive 10-week training camp at the IMG Academy.

In rugby union Rees-Zammit was a versatile winger who earned 32 caps for Wales but in the U.S. the 22-year-old will try to translate those skills to the running back/wide receiver positions.

"I have never played the game so it is going to be very difficult for me at the start," Rees-Zammit said.

"There's going to be a lot of me watching film and certain plays. That's going to be the biggest challenge. There are going to be a lot different skills but, at the same time, I can improve on what I've got already. The quicker I can learn the game, the better for me because then I can show everyone what I can do."

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