Reese Zammit aka Gavin Henson quits NFL and returns to rugby

So Reese Zammit decided to pack it in only after one season of trying to break into the NFL. He thought that with his pace and size that it would be a cake walk but little did he know how complex and demanding the NFL is.

What many don't realise that in the NFL they only a total of 5 months and 17 games per regular round before the plaoffs. It is a complex system of conferences etc, but for some reason the American brain understands it and it is the biggest sport in Merica.

The real NFL is what happens in pre-season, the amount of training, drills and studying, yes studying. There are hundreds of plays and a player needs to know them by heart, they keep changing and if you can't learn them then you'll soon become less valuable to them.

Reese is nowhere near Gavin Henson who threw his career away, but another young player that thinks rugby is just something he is entitled too because he is so talented. We saw what happened to Henson. In the end he ended up on the sidelines and always struggled to find home or club that wants him. The same happened with Sipriani and so many other talented players that think that everyone should make room for them.

However, I think what the NFL and rugby do have in common is how do you fit in with your team. If you have a reputation, then you will find it very hard to settle in. Zammit runs the same risk.

Lots of bs around this issue…..zammit simply wasn’t up to it:

Rees-Zammit’s foray into the NFL began in early 2024 when he shocked rugby fans by announcing his departure from rugby union right before Wales' Six Nations squad reveal. His transition involved a grueling 10-week training under the NFL’s International Pathway Program which led to a preseason stint with the Chiefs. Despite sharing the field with stars such as Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce, he failed to secure a spot on their main roster and was not retained on their practice squad due to roster limits on international players

He never even made the practice squad. For those like Rooinek who think rugby is at a higher athletic level than the NFL this should be a lesson. Football is a miserable slow game…but the players are awesome athletes.

"Rees-Zammit signed an active roster deal with the Jacksonville Jaguars for the 2025 season after being part of their practice squad for the 2024 season and travelled to London for the games against the Chicago Bears and New England Patriots in October."

He did make a practice squad, but never played in a regular game. That is why he decided to return to Rugby.

Why everyone is so negative for him trying out a dream, is stupid! Louis is talented Rugby player and I am sure Wales would want him back….

Fair point M. I’m not necessarily negative about Zammit….as a young guy he tried for an NFL career which would have been far more lucrative if it worked out. This relates more to views expressed by some posters, notably Timestamp who describe the NFL as a game which isn’t as physical as rugby.

It’s the opposite, the hits in the NFL would regularly get red cards in our game today.

But at the time I pointed out this was a long shot….there are plenty of super fast , huge guys who don’t make the grade.

Yes that’s true and most of these American players grew up playing the game.

Learning the ins and outs from a young age and as senior’s now, they are top players.

Rugby and American Football are quite different. And these athletes are huge guys, that are very athletic.

One test that caught my eye, is the standing jump test. You stand still on one spot and Jump up and must reach a certain height.

Similar is Basketball with top big athletes that specialises in Basketball.

So thinking you can just step in there and make it, might be a tad naive. But I still have Respect for Louis, knowing how difficult it would be, but still giving it his best shot.

I read that a French Rugby side, don’t know which one, is apparently now after him with a big offer.

I hope Louis gets a gig soon as in my opinion, he is a very good Rugby athlete.

Allegedly, he’s signed for R360 but wants a 12 month contract until that competition starts.

Has any rugby player succeeded in the NFL? It always seems to be a disaster

No-one from this neck of the woods has done well.

Becs is R360 that new Rugby league? I wonder how it will work and which Clubs will they play?

Yes, Mpower. It’s the new proposed league that will play in franchises, all over the world, is trying to sign up loads of top players ( for loads of money ) and will destroy Rugby, if it gets off the ground.

He thought that with his pace and size that it would be a cake walk.

Emm where did Reese Zammit indicate anything like that?

Reese is nowhere near Gavin Henson who threw his career away, but another young player that thinks rugby is just something he is entitled too because he is so talented.

What are you basing that on?

All I saw was a guy who wanted to pursue his dream and it didn't work out for him so now he's looking to return to rugby.

Did the guy do something to personally offend you?

Ok Becs that Doesn’t sound positive. Hopefully it won’t influence test rugby? and will Urc, Champions Cup, super Rugby still carry on as normal?

It would influence everything.

None of those players would be available for anything that wasn’t R360, Internationals the lot.

Oh my goodness…A Complete takeover, that sounds terrible and hope it doesn’t happen.

I think WR and all Rugby Union clubs will sue the live crap out of them. I can’t see this R360 just taking over like that?

Well, it’s similar to what they tried to do with LIV Golf.

It’s going to cause chaos regardless of if it takes off.

I can remember Naas wnet to the BFL for goal kicking purposes in the 1980's - but cannot remember the team he played for.,

It appears he’s signed for Bristol……

I am happy for him. So all the talk that it will be difficult for him to get back into Rugby??

Louis is a World class winger and he will boost the attack play of the Bristol Bears.

Well, I think it’s only a years contract as he wants to join R360.