Louis Rees-Zammit, an international rugby player, was signed by the Chiefs on Thursday, bringing an intriguing and
uncommon dynamic to the offense. The speedster is anticipated to contribute offensively and on special teams,
providing Kansas City with a formidable opponent to enhance their roster.
Given that rugby rules are comparable to those of the league, athletes such as Rees-Zammit can be extremely
valuable, especially since the league voted on a new kickoff rule that encourages action rather than touchbacks.
Rees-Zammit spoke with a number of clubs this week, including the Denver Broncos, and it seems like Andy Reid
and Brett Veach were once again one step ahead of the opposition from Kansas City.
Rees-Zammit, a participant in the NFL’s International Player Pathway program, aspires to follow in the footsteps of
players like Jordan Mailata, an Eagles left tackle who has emerged as one of the finest in the league.
The athlete’s pro-day times included a 4.43 40-yard sprint, a 9-foot 7-inch broad jump, and a 29-inch vertical leap.
During a rugby match, he was measured at 24.2 mph, which is two miles per hour faster than the fastest time from
the 2023 NFL season.
This is the perfect low-cost, high-reward action. Rees-Zammit will not be included against the 90-man roster limit
because he is a member of the NFL’s international program. The Chiefs will have a valuable addition and adaptable
weapon if he performs well. Nothing is lost if things don’t work out.
Rees-Zammit visited with the New York Jets, Cleveland Browns, and Denver Broncos. He is currently a member of
the Chiefs. Rees-Zammit has the kind of speed that doesn’t grow on trees, and with the new rules, he may make an
immediate difference as the team looks to win the Super Bowl three times in a row.
In addition to Veach and the Chiefs’ brass deserving of praise, this illustrates the franchise’s broader appeal on a
global scale. Though it seems Kansas City is expanding well beyond the local area codes as we witness an
international footprint taking shape under the management of Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid, I have maintained
that the Chiefs are now America’s club.
