While here in Ireland we're well used to our close neighbours robbing the spotlight and claiming our sportspeople for their own, it's rare were on the other side of the stick. However that all ended today when one of the biggest voices in American sports media Pat McAfee sensationally claimed Louis Rees-Zammit as Irish despite watching highlights of him playing for Wales.
Despite none of the Irish contingent signing NFL contracts yet, Welsh rugby sensation Louis Rees-Zammit earned his first NFL contract today signing with the reigning Super Bowl Champions the Chiefs.
Rees-Zammit confirmed earlier this year that he wouldn't be taking part in the 2024 Six Nations but instead heading stateside as part of the NFL's international player pathway program to try earn a place on an NFL roster.
Having seen his performance and speed at the NFL Combine at the beginning of the month, a race broke out to sign the 23-year-old, with Andy Reid's Chiefs luring Rees-Zammit down to train with them before signing him today.
Pat McAfee claims Louis Rees-Zammit as Irish
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While McAfee's slip-up is very probably a testament to Ireland's ever-increasing success on the international sports stage and the phenomenal performances of our kickers at the Combine in recent weeks, we know exactly how it feels for the Welsh here.
In the clip of McAfee's ESPN show, he initially makes some link with Rees-Zammit's name and what appears to be an attempt at a French accent before clarifying that the rugby-turned-American football star was Irish.
The Kansas City Chiefs have signed rugby star Louis Rees-Zammit #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/jU4imTT6lS
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) March 28, 2024
While the lads seem hopeful about Rees-Zammit's future in the NFL, their comments on punters and kickers will be welcomed by us Irish fans who are looking on, eagerly awaiting news about Charlie Smyth, Rory Beggan and Mark Jackson.
The trio who by all accounts impressed in both the Combine and follow-up Pro Days, are yet to tie down NFL contracts but appear to be heading in that direction.
Down's Charlie Smyth is the furthest along having headed down to the New Orleans Saints for a try-out, with both Monaghan's Rory Beggan and Wicklow's Mark Jackson still stateside working on getting signed, with initial reports from the day suggesting there was plenty of interest in signing the GAA goalkeepers.
Unlike Rees-Zammit's position, there was expected to be high demand for punters and kickers due to new NFL rules which allow teams to add one additional player to their roster spot provided they are international. This means that teams could keep an international player as a rarely-used spare punter without having to forfeit a roster spot in a more physically risky position.
SEE ALSO: Charlie Smyth Shares Ridiculous Kick On Eve Of Saints Tryout
