The NFL established the “International Pathway Program” in 2017, which provides an opportunity for NFL teams to work with athletes around the globe, hoping to find new, talented players to add to their roster.
This program has only been around for a short time, but the NFL’s efforts have already produced a few success stories.
One of the most impactful players to come out of this program is Jordan Maliata of the Philadelphia Eagles.
Mailata grew up playing rugby, but after getting introduced to football, it was clear that he had the necessary skills to make a meaningful impact in the NFL.
After seeing what a player like Mailata could do, other teams across the league are trying to find their next diamond in the rough.
The Kansas City Chiefs recently made headlines by signing Louis Rees-Zammit in the offseason, who also happens to be a former rugby player.
When Rees-Zammit was initially signed, little information was provided about his role, but Andy Reid has recently given a peek behind the curtain.
According to Charles Goldman, Reid recently indicated that Rees-Zammit will begin his tenure with the team as a running back.
When asked about Rees-Zammit’s transition from rugby to football, Reid said, “That’s not an easy transition, but he seems to be wired for it.”
#Chiefs HC Andy Reid says they’ll start Louis Rees-Zammit off at the running back position.
“His dad played six years in a European (football) league. So he’s somewhat familiar with the sport. He’s had success with rugby. There are some similarities there. . . that’s not an…
— Charles Goldman (@goldmctNFL) April 15, 2024
It will be interesting to see how Rees-Zammit makes the switch from rugby to football, especially at the running back position.
There are a lot of intricacies to this role in the NFL, which could make for a steep learning curve.
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