Chiefs' Louis Rees-Zammit Details Transition to NFL from Rugby, Praises Isiah Pacheco

Kansas City Chiefs running back Louis Rees-Zammit is set to make his debut season in the NFL this year after transitioning from rugby.

While football and rugby have plenty of similarities, Rees-Zammit detailed how different his experiences have been.

"It's very physical," Rees-Zammit, per The Athletic's Nate Taylor. "I've had to learn to adapt and lower my body height. In rugby, that's not too much of a big deal. The blows you take here are pretty big. To be honest with you, it's a completely different sport.

"I've never had to pass protect before. It's actually illegal in rugby. I have to try to pick it up as quickly as possible. I'm not going to be amazing to start with."

He also said he's had the chance to learn from other running backs on the Chiefs roster, naming Isiah Pacheco in particular.

"Anything I can take from any of these boys that have been playing the sport for a long time is amazing," Rees-Zammit said. "Isiah has been helping me out massively."

Before transitioning to the NFL, Rees-Zammit spent six seasons playing as a winger for Gloucester, where he scored 38 tries in 69 appearances. He also played internationally for Wales, scoring 14 tries in 31 caps.

The winger position in rugby is somewhat similar to a running back in football, so he could find success in the backfield.

Rees-Zammit announced his retirement from rugby in January and joined the NFL's International Player Pathway Program shortly after. He signed with Kansas City in late March and has been training ever since.

The NFL's IPP program helps players from other countries make the transition to the NFL. Many of those athletes, like Rees-Zammit, are former rugby players. Since the IPP program began in 2017, 37 athletes have signed with teams, and 18 are currently on NFL rosters.

As Rees-Zammit makes his debut for the Chiefs, he'll look to become the next success story of the IPP program.