Louis Rees-Zammit appears to have left lasting impression on Travis Kelce at Kansas City Chiefs

Travis Kelce produced a moment of magic during the Kansas City Chiefs' win over the New Orleans Saints, with NFL fans convinced the tight end was inspired by Louis Rees-Zammit

While things didn't quite pan out for Louis Rees-Zammit at the Kansas City Chiefs, it seems the Welshman left a lasting mark on his former colleagues and coaches.

After shining in the NFL's International Player Pathway programme earlier this year, the 23-year-old joined the Chiefs, only to be let go as the Super Bowl champions trimmed their roster to 53 players in August. However, he was thrown a lifeline by the Jacksonville Jaguars, who added him to their practice squad as a wide receiver.

Despite not making the final cut with the Chiefs, there are indications that during his stint in Missouri, Rees-Zammit made an impact on some of his team-mates, including NFL stars Travis Kelce and Patrick Mahomes. As two of the sport's top performers, the ex-Wales wing learned a great deal from the duo, but fans now believe he may have influenced Kelce as well.

In the second quarter of the Chiefs' recent win over the New Orleans Saints, the tight end executed a move that seemed straight out of a rugby match. He caught a pass from Mahomes and then threw a lateral pass to team-mate Samaje Perine, who nearly secured the first down, reports Wales Online.

The sports commentators were caught off guard and initially didn't clock that Kelce's audacious sideways pass was all part of the scheme, but Chiefs gaffer Andy Reid later spilled the beans confirming it was a crafty set-piece. This isnt the first rodeo for such tricks, experts reckon, as more NFL outfits are nicking moves straight from the rugby lads manual.

Buzzing on social media about the slick manoeuvre, one enthusiast exclaimed: "This is literally a rugby play. It's perfect." Another supporter chipped in with: "This is the future of the NFL," and a third chimed in with: "Kelce [is a] confirmed rugby guy."

One buff speculated: "A LRZ-inspired play maybe? " while another daydreamed about the what-ifs, musing: "Imagine if Rees-Zammit was still in the team! ". With his pop idol missus Taylor Swift looking on last Tuesday, Kelce and his Chiefs mates bagged a win against the Saints, finishing up 26-13.

The hot topic of 'the lateral' popped up when Kelce got in touch with Rees-Zammit after the Welsh speedster inked a three-year membership card for the Arrowhead Stadium crew this March.

Spilling the tea on the back-and-forth banter of those texts on an episode of his New Heights podcast, Kelce shared: "The biggest advice I gave him was just try not to let it overwhelm you as much as it can, and know that everybody believes that you have the potential to be able to play. So absorb as much as you can, learn as much as you can in the short time you have before the season."

"[But] I'm pumped too and he said he's ready for the lateral whenever."