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Former rugby star Louis Rees-Zammit has set his sights on Super Bowl glory after switching careers.
The 23-year-old shocked Gloucester and Wales supporters when he announced his departure from the sport to focus on his NFL career.
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He has already been undertaking a ten-week programme in Florida, learning how to play as both a wide receiver and running back.
Wales and British and Irish Lions winger Rees-Zammit is part of the NFL’s international player pathway and remains hopeful of joining a team next campaign.
“In the next five years I want to be a Super Bowl champ,” he told the BBC.
“These are very much dreams but I’m desperate for these things to happen. And I want to be an inspiration for anyone coming through the IPP, and any international player that wants to get through to the NFL.”
He added: “Training is completely different. You’re using completely different muscles that you wouldn’t use in rugby. Even the soreness is different.
“I’d probably say the most challenging thing is how much you have to learn. The classroom stuff is full-on. I’m loving learning a completely different sport – the rules, the positions, special teams.”
Rees-Zammit admitted his love for Cristiano Ronaldo, having previously celebrated using the footballers’ ‘siu’ celebration at last year’s Rugby World Cup in France.
“There is a bubble in rugby, you can’t do certain things, but I am who I am,” he said.
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“Like I’m absolutely obsessed with Ronaldo. When I did that celebration, I did it because I love Ronaldo.
“I didn’t want to offend anyone. You see loads of footballers doing that, but if you do it in rugby, you get slammed.
“I try not to look at the haters and all the criticism I get. It’s just head down and get on with the job.”
The 23-year-old has insisted he could return to rugby should the NFL not work out and even claimed he felt ‘jealous’ watching his former Wales teammates face England in the Six Nations.
“If it works out, I have ten years to try to play the sport I have loved growing up watching or I can come back to rugby and play the sport I love playing,” he added.
“I am excited to see what happens and what the future holds.”
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