Andy Reid discusses Louis Rees-Zammit’s transition from rugby to the NFL

Chiefs’ head coach Andy Reid shares his initial thoughts on the former rugby star.

The Kansas City Chiefs made an intriguing move this offseason with the signing of rugby sensation Louis Rees-Zammit.

With the recent kickoff rule changes sparking anticipation for increased returns, the Chiefs secured the 23-year-old’s services, hoping that his rugby skill set transfers over into becoming the team’s return specialist for the upcoming season.

As the team begins voluntary offseason workouts this week, Kansas City head coach Andy Reid spoke to reporters on Monday and shared his initial thoughts on the team’s newest addition.

“He was introduced to [football] when he was young,” started Reid, chatting about Rees-Zammit’s football background. “His dad played six years in the European League, so he was somewhat familiar with the sport. He sure has had success in rugby, and there’s some similarities there. It’s a contact sport.

“He’s had the ball and has had to do those things like run with the ball, so we’ll start him off at the running back position and get him to feel comfortable with that going forward.”

Although they have similarities, Reid knows that the transition from rugby to the NFL is not an easy one. It’ll take time for Rees-Zammit to learn all the nuances necessary to thrive at the NFL level. Nevertheless, Reid commended him for his work ethic and professional demeanor—two necessary traits that should help facilitate his integration into the Chiefs’ system.

“(Rees-Zammit) will get used to some of these calls through our Zooms and the plays, and we’ll just see where it goes from there,” Reid explained. “Dave [Toub] will also have an opportunity to have him on special teams and see where that goes. It’s not an easy transition, but he seems to be wired [for it] playing competitive rugby, professionally, since he was 17 years old.

“So he’s sitting there at 23, he’s had a pretty good pretty good career with that and understands the professional game and the mindset to play at a professional level.”