Aussie Jarryd Hayne Makes The San Francisco 49ers Squad

Australian Rugby League star Jarryd Hayne has made the cut to be on the 53-man roster for the San Francisco 49ers’ 2015 season. The Sydney Morning Herald described the achievement as “one of the greatest code-switches in sporting history,” reflecting the intense excitement and pride Australians have expressed at Hayne’s performance. In what was seen at the time as a highly risky move, Hayne left a $1.5 million contract with the Parramatta Eels Rugby team to try out for the 49ers, despite having zero NFL experience. It wasn’t long, however, before Hayne started to impress, providing some exciting pre-season performances and impressive statistics as a running back and punt returner.

Hayne announced the decision himself via Twitter 24 minutes after the final deadline for roster submissions.

“It always works out! Thank God for what he has done and going to do on this incredible journey!! I’m on the 53-man roster for the 49ers.”

While Hayne is not necessarily going to play in the season opener against the Vikings, it looks as if he’s definitely in the 2015 squad. According to NFL.com, the decision was likely based on his special teams ability and he is seen as a solid pick for punt return duties. Hayne has already made a name for himself as an electrifying mover of the ball who enjoys playing through pain and running through, and over, tackles, both prominent features of his home game Rugby League, a fast-paced, high contact sport played without padding or protection. He’s popular with the fans as well, winning many hearts through the combination of his understated and humble engagement with the media and his aggression on the field.

And it’s not just Hayne’s performance on the field that has caught the imagination of the fans. His story is a classic tale of achievement against the odds. Jarryd grew up in Minto, a poor working class suburb on the fringes of Sydney. His father was a star player in the South Sydney Rabbitohs, but Hayne was raised by his single mother in challenging circumstances.

In 2006, Hayne signed his first contract with Parramatta, with whom he has had a stellar career. Among other achievements, Hayne won two prestigious Dally M awards, an award for being the best player of the season. When he walked away from the sport in 2014 to chase his NFL dreams, many Australian commentators were stunned, as well as being highly-sceptical of Hayne’s chances in such a competitive and unfamiliar sport.

Jarryd Hayne has proven all the sceptics wrong so far, having not only survived the pre-season cuts, but winning over commentators and fans in the process. Even legendary 49er Jerry Rice was impressed, telling NFL.com earlier this month how much he enjoyed Jarryd’s running game.

“I’m loving it. Every time he touches the football there’s something spectacular going on.”

Hayne has finished the pre-season with a bevy of impressive statistics, including more running yards than any other player and the second highest average punt return yardage. Jarryd’s average carry was seven yards, with 175 yards from 25 carries. On punt returns, Hayne achieved an 18.1 yard average from nine carries.

[Picture via Getty Images]