Louis Rees-Zammit could only dream of taking the field on Sunday inside Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
But with recent No. 1 draft pick Caleb Williams facing Trevor Lawrence‘s Jaguars, LRZ was seen on the sideline as Jacksonville prepared for its first of back-to-back London games.
GettyDaniel Levy, Sadiq Khan and Roger Goodell shared a moment at Tottentham[/caption]
Rees Lightning, who’s a member of the Jags’ practice squad, wasn’t just chatting with an assistant coach or Jacksonville wide receiver.
The former Wales rugby star was seen holding a 1-on-1 conversation with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, at the same time that the richest sports league in the world was opening the door to eventually hosting a Super Bowl outside the United States.
Rees-Zammit, who spent training camp as a member of the Kansas City Chiefs, appeared to be enjoying his chat with Goodell.
The 23-year-old wideout smiled and pointed toward the stands, while an engaged Goodell nodded back at LRZ and grabbed his arm.
Former Buffalo Bills running back Christian Wade believes that Rees-Zammit could make the full jump to the NFL and play during with the Jaguars during the regular season.
“He has everything he needs,” Wade exclusively told talkSPORT.
The NFL is holding three of its International Series games in London for the second consecutive year.
The Minnesota Vikings defeated the Jets last Sunday at Tottenham, leading to New York firing Robert Saleh as head coach.
Next week, the Jaguars host the New England Patriots at Wembley Stadium.
The NFL kicked off its 2024 season in Brazil, while games were played in Germany last year.
x@HoganNFLLouis Rees-Zammit saw something that he wanted Goodell to notice[/caption]
x@HoganNFLThe NFL’s commissioner enjoyed his chat with LRZ[/caption]
x@HoganNFLThey both were laughing as the conversation continued[/caption]
Ireland, Spain and Abu Dhabi could be next up on the list of international game sites.
But the real difference-maker would be the Big Game.
Fans have wondered for years if the NFL will hold a Super Bowl outside of the USA, with London often viewed as an ideal host city.
Goodell appeared to embrace that possibility while speaking with fans.
“We’ve always traditionally tried to play a Super Bowl in an NFL city,” Goodell said on Saturday, according to ESPN.
“That was always sort of a reward for the cities that have NFL franchises.
“But things change. It wouldn’t surprise me at all if that happens one day.”
The NFL dominates TV viewing numbers in the US.
But with overall growth within the United States no longer skyrocketing — it’s hard for the NFL to get any bigger than it already is — the league has begun aggressively exploring international games.
The ultimate goal for the league appears to be 16 international games a year, with all of the NFL’s 32 teams playing one game either as a home or away club outside the USA.
If LRZ sticks with the Jaguars, he could also keep returning to the United Kingdom while playing in the NFL.
The Jags were once viewed a serious threat to relocate their franchise to London.
Now, Jacksonville could play additional games in England while the team’s stadium is renovated.
