Louis Rees-Zammit rolled the dice and took a huge gamble in pursuit of his NFL dream but it has more than paid off... the fact the Kansas City Chiefs have been impressed is a testament to his ability in his new sport

When Louis Rees-Zammit shocked the rugby world in January by quitting the sport he grew up playing to pursue his NFL dream, the doubters couldn't wait to raise their voices.

My phone immediately lit up that morning with messages from agents, key figures within Welsh and English rugby, and friends who were fascinated by the now former Wales wing's decision.

The overriding theme was one of cynicism. 'What's he doing?' 'He'll be back in two years with his tail between his legs.' 'Why would he gamble the great career he already has?'

Rees-Zammit's decision to leave rugby came on the same day Wales confirmed their squad for the 2024 Six Nations. It forced their head coach Warren Gatland into a dramatic change of plan.

I was on holiday in Mexico at the time, taking a break after a long stint covering the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

The thought process was I wouldn't miss much at the Wales squad announcement.

How wrong I was.

Rees-Zammit's decision to leave his Gloucester contract with immediate effect was a huge, huge story. The time difference between the United Kingdom and Mexico meant I learned of the announcement later than others. There had been rumours of his interest in playing American Football doing the rounds for some time. They were denied by his now former agent.

But in an instant, they came true.

Now, just a matter of months after starting a sport he hadn't even played properly before heading to the USA, Rees-Zammit has inked a three-year contract with Super Bowl champions the Kansas City Chiefs. He has already proved those who doubted him wrong.

Rees-Zammit's singing of a training deal to work alongside the likes of Chiefs superstars Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce is an extraordinary achievement. At the age of just 23, Rees-Zammit rolled the dice and took a huge gamble. It is one which has more than paid off so far.

He deserves a great deal of praise for his achievements.

And yet that still hasn't been enough for some.

Many have stressed how far Rees-Zammit still has to go to play in the NFL proper. Former Ireland captain and now TV pundit Brian O'Driscoll pointed out that Rees-Zammit is 'not likely to be receiving touchdown passes from Mahomes.' While there was certainly an element of truth to O'Driscoll's comment, it summed up an attitude which is far too often seen across rugby.

Far, far too many people in the sport often look at things through a negative lens. The focus is often on what players can't do rather than what they can.

Rather than question whether or not Rees-Zammit will make his next step, why not applaud the remarkable – because that is what it is – journey he has made so far this year?

Andy Reid's Chiefs have won three of the past five Super Bowl titles. The fact they, of all teams, have been impressed by Rees-Zammit is testament to the player's ability in his new sport.

Even if Rees-Zammit doesn't play in the NFL this season or at all, the Chiefs at the very least rate him highly enough to ensure he is kept out of the reach of their rivals.

That says a lot.

So too does the fact Rees-Zammit has signed a multi-year contract understood to be worth $884,000. Before officially signing on with the Chiefs, he had interest from 12 NFL teams after impressing scouts on the International Player Programme (IPP).

Rees-Zammit's next challenge is to catch Reid's eye and make the final Chiefs roster of 53 players. Should he continue his upward curve, he has a good chance of doing just that.

Kansas is certainly a long way from Cardiff. During lockdown, Rees-Zammit moved in next door to this reporter in leafy Pontcanna in the Welsh capital. He worked on his lightning speed and general fitness in nearby Bute Park when we were all forced to minimise contact. A handful of years later, Rees-Zammit has moved nearly 5,000 miles away to begin a new adventure.

He is the sort of bloke who makes you feel particularly inferior given his achievements and how seamlessly he has made the Pontcanna switch.

In my defence, I have also left Pontcanna but only to the Cardiff suburb of Whitchurch.

The fact the extension on Rees-Zammit's former building blocked the signal to my Sky dish may or may not have played a part in my decision.

Rees-Zammit's signing on at the Chiefs, official pictures, and visit to Arrowhead Stadium saw him accompanied by his family with whom he is very close.

'From the United Kingdom to Chiefs Kingdom' was the accompanying caption to the team's social media post. The Chiefs were catapulted to an entirely different level of popularity when Kelce began dating American pop superstar Taylor Swift. They are hardly a team in desperate need of commercial growth.

Tickets to watch the Chiefs and their official shirts are rare commodities, unsurprisingly so given their on-field success and the impetus Swift's loyal fans have added.

But the marketing element of Rees-Zammit joining the Chiefs cannot be downplayed. His status as a former elite rugby player in the UK should help the NFL grow in popularity in these shores.

The UK remains a targeted area for expansion for the NFL. An NFL UK YouTube channel series detailing the journey of Rees-Zammit and his IPP colleagues has been viewed more than half a million times. Rees-Zammit's signing with Roc Nation Sports – the sports agency founded by American rapper Jay-Z – should aid his commercial earnings too.

He will wear the No 9 jersey in Kansas City and pitch for a place in the running back position.

It was also noticeable how rugby's authorities jumped on the back of Rees-Zammit's Chiefs deal.

On the face of things, you might think Rees-Zammit's defection from rugby would be bad news for a sport which has had more than its fair share in the last two years.

But is that really true? Ahead of the USA hosting the 2031 men's Rugby World Cup, the sport's stakeholders are working collaboratively behind the scenes to grow the game in America.

Rees-Zammit's presence in the NFL as an ex-rugby player should help that cause.

Even World Rugby – the sport's governing body – championed Rees-Zammit's new deal. Mail Sport understands there are concerns over the current levels of American interest in rugby with the 2031 men's tournament in mind. Who knows where Rees-Zammit will be then.

He could be an established NFL presence by that point.

Conversely, he could be back playing rugby for Wales. He is young enough to be able to return to his boyhood sport and play at the 2031 World Cup which would be his second global showpiece if NFL doesn't work out.

But with the way he is going, Rees-Zammit looks to be on an upward curve in America. His journey is fascinating and should be celebrated – not criticised – by anyone with a passion for British sport.