17 January 2024 , 12:32
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Louis Rees-Zammit has been told he'll go to a "dark place" as he attempts to crack the NFL after quitting rugby.
The Gloucester star announced he would be walking away from the sport with immediate affect just as Wales named their Six Nations squad. His decision came as a blow to Warren Gatland with the Welsh now having to fill a sizeable void on the wing that Rees-Zammit would've occupied.
The 22-year-old is not the first Premiership player to give American Football a crack with Christian Wade quitting Wasps midseason in 2018 to pursue his NFL ambitions. Speaking from experience the prolific try scorer has underlined the challenges that will face Rees-Zammit.
He told Instant Casino : "You do have to go to a dark place. It is not about going to a dark place once, it is for months and years. The pathway programme will be tough, but that is the easy part. Once you get picked up by a team, or if you get picked up, then that is when the hard work starts and gets harder and harder.
"There will be a mini-camp where everyone is fighting for a job and their livelihood. It is not like you have a two year contract and you can chill for a bit and you’re getting paid. In the NFL it is the true American dream.
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"He will get paid weekly or every two weeks. But nothing is guaranteed. You can get cut at any time. Once you get through you have five weeks off then you go into pre-season. And that is pre-season from hell. You start at 7 am and finish at 9 pm. It is crazy."
Wade failed to crack it in American despite scoring a 65-yard touchdown with his first run on debut for the Buffalo Bills. The franchise kept him on their training squad but the former Wasps winger was never able to truly make it and eventually returned to rugby.
ORCHARD PARK, NY - AUGUST 08: Christian Wade #45 of the Buffalo Bills runs in the back field during the fourth quarter of a preseason game against the Indianapolis Colts at New Era Field on August 8, 2019 in Orchard Park, New York. Buffalo defeats Indianapolis 24 -16. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)He's now at Racing 92 whilst several Australian rugby league stars have also leaving the NRL in an attempt to play in the NFL, which also ended with minimal success. Rees-Zammit has been a huge hit during his relatively short career and has kept the door open for a return.
He said on social media: "Although this decision may come as a surprise, I would like to reiterate that this does not necessarily mean I am retiring from rugby, but rather at this age and stage of my life, I am excited to explore a unique challenge that has the potential to diversify my skill set."
Wales boss Gatland admitted: "It's a little bit of a shock. He rang me to let me know and give me that information, say thanks very much for his time at the World Cup and how he enjoyed it. I wished him all the best. I honestly hope it all works out for him."