"Louis Rees-Zammit Next" - 5 Rugby Players Who Played American Football

Rees-Zammit's announcement came just a matter of hours before Warren Gatland named his Wales squad for the 2024 Six Nations. Rees-Zammit was considered a cornerstone of the Welsh attacking line, yet this departure has put Gatland in a difficult position for the upcoming Championships. The aptly nicknamed 'Rees-Lightning' is amongst the fastest players in modern rugby, with a devastating turn of pace that sees him leave defending players in his tracks.

Rees-Zammit's scoring record speaks for itself, as he scored 42 tries in 77 matches for Gloucester. On the international scene, 'LRZ' has been just as devastating, with 14 tries in 32 matches for Wales. The 22-year-old was travelled to South Africa for the 2021 British & Irish Lions Tour, and became the youngest player since 1959 to wear the iconic red jersey. However, now Rees-Zammit is moving on to American Football, and has accepted a place on the NFL International Player Pathway. The flying wing has not yet been signed to a team, yet any franchise out in the United States would be lucky to obtain the services of Rees-Zammit.

So, after such monumental news so close to the 2024 Six Nations, let's have a look back at five other players who have also played both rugby and American football.

1. Martin Johnson - Leicester Panthers

Unbeknownst to the knowledge of some England fans, 2003 Rugby World Cup winning captain Martin Johnson, could have played a different sport all-together. Growing up, Johnson was an avid fan of American Football, and starred for his local Leicester Panthers side at tight-end. The widest position on the offensive line, the soon to be England lock suited the role due to his impressive physicality and speed into contact.

Thankfully for England fans, Johnson opted against a career in the NFL and instead pursued the egg-shaped ball on our side of the Atlantic. Johnson soon turned his full focus to rugby union, and went on to break into the Leicester Tigers squad for the 1989 Premiership season. Five Premiership titles, three Champions Cups and the immortalised Rugby World Cup win then followed, before Johnson hung up his boots and joined the England coaching staff in 2008.

2. Gavin Hastings - Scottish Claymores

Being a leading figure in the Scottish back-line for nine years was not enough for Gavin Hastings, who after a decorated career in rugby, pursued a brief stint in American Football. The six-capped British & Irish Lion utilised his footballing talents in the sport, and joined NFL Europe team the Scottish Claymores as a place-kicker in 1996. Hasting's American Football career was a brief yet admitedly successful run, as the Claymore's won the World Bowl in his only season in the sport.

Hasting's on-field career for the Claymores saw him slot 24 of his 27 conversions, after his side had scored a touch-down. Apart of the Special Teams unit of the squad, Hasting's was soley utilised for the extra-points, however he missed his only attempt at the posts from a field goal position. One of Scotland's finest ever full-backs, Hastings' career swap following his rugby retirement was a rather interesting affair.

One of the most interesting sporting careers in recent years, former Bath Rugby player Alex Gray has a stint with the Atlanta Falcons in the NFL on his resume. After making his rugby break-through with Newcastle Falcons in 2009, Gray would depart for London Irish in 2011, join Yorkshire Carnegie in 2016. During his initial rugby run, he worked his way into the England Sevens set-up, presenting his versatility across the varieties of the sport.

Gray then headed state-side in 2017, after agreeing a contract with the Atlanta Falcons in the NFL. The multi-sport athlete played tight-end on the Falcons' offensive line, after graduating the International Player Pathway Programme - the same course that Louis Rees-Zammit has just signed on to. Gray was unable to progress further than the Falcons' practice squad and injury reserve list, and returned to rugby in 2020 as he signed for Bath. A brief run with Wasps in 2021/22 brought an end to his rugby career following the club's administartion, with Gray having since gone on to star in the latest re-make of Gladiators as 'Apollo'.

Louis Rees-Zammit's journey from rugby to the NFL, has had a similar run to that of Christian Wade's journey across the pond. Like Rees-Zammit, Wade was amongst the top Premiership wingers and routinely tore up on his run outs for Wasps. Wade received his England debut in 2013, yet only obtained the one test cap, which came against Argentina. Wade was set for additional England caps following his run with the 2013 British & Irish Lions, yet injuries absences curtailed his momentum and he failed to return to the fold.

Wade opted for pastures new in America in 2019, and was promptly signed by the Buffalo Bill's. Despite an impressive showing in pre-season fixtures, Wade never made his full NFL league debut, and remained in the practice squad for his three years in the NFL. Wade quit the sport in 2022, and returned to rugby with a move to Racing 92. Aside of his better known career journey, Wade did enjoy a stint in the England Sevens set-up, and made fsix appearances for the England Saxons.

5. Jarrad Hayne - San Francisco 49ers

Straying into Rugby League for our next entry, former Australia international Jarrad Hayne intially intended to start playing American football in 2011 at 23-years-old. However, his journey into College Football in the United States was hindered, as he failed to complete the 12th grade in high school. Hayne bided his time, and in between starring performances for Australia and the Parramatta Eels, organised a trial with an Australian University American football side, in order to impress NFL scouts.

Hayne got his break in 2015, when he was signed by the San Francisco 49ers as an undrafted free agent. Hayne battled well throughout pre-season as a running-back and kick-returner, and made the cut for the 53-man squad for the regular NFL season. He made his full NFL debut against the Minnesota Vikings, and recorded 20 yards with the ball throughout the match. Hayne would cut his NFL career short and return to rugby the following season, yet had swapped to rugby union, in a bid to play for the Fiji 7s Olympic team in the 2016 Rio Games.