Jarryd Hayne quits NRL to pursue NFL career

[Pats]

Parramatta superstar Jarryd Hayne is set to take leave from the NRL after being given a conditional release by the Eels to try his hand at NFL.

Hayne, who has withdrawn from the Kangaroos Four Nations squad announced on Tuesday, will tell a press conference at 11am that he has signed a "lifetime agreement" with the Eels so that if he returns to the NRL it will be with Parramatta.

Jarryd Hayne posted Instagram pictures of himself at a Dallas Cowboys NFL game in July. Photo: Instagram

However, Hayne said he could not let the opportunity to play in the NFL pass him by.

"For the past 24 months I've been thinking about having a crack in the NFL, and over the last 12 months I've been seriously considering it," Hayne said in a letter to Eels members.

"Today I can officially announce that I will be heading to the United States to pursue an opportunity to play American Football.

I will be withdrawing from the Kangaroos Four Nations side immediately, and accepting a conditional release from the Eels to make the move overseas."

The 27-year-old fullback, who had another year to run on his contract with the Eels, recently visited Seattle Seahawks.

He said the reason he did not leave earlier was out of loyalty to coach Brad Arthur.

"The reason I didn't make this decision any earlier was because of the part I played in getting Brad to the club and the way we finished the season. I felt I owed the Club one more year and I gave it everything I could," he said.

"It's always been a dream of mine to play in the NFL, and at my age, this is my one and only chance at having a crack at playing there.

"I'm excited about the potential opportunities that lie ahead. I've known the deadline has been looming for me to make this call, and I believe the right time is now.

"I'm so passionate about the challenge that lies ahead for me, not only as an athlete but more so as a person. It's the hardest decision I have ever had to make in my life. I'm leaving my teammates, friends, and most importantly my family; but for me to grow as an athlete and a person I feel this is the right step to take.

"It hasn't been an easy decision for me to leave the Eels, the club's been my home and family since I was 13, and I've always been proud to pull on the Blue and Gold jersey with my teammates.

"The hardest thing about leaving the club is there's stability for the first time in a long time, but I know where my heart lies and I'm following that.

"I'm always telling people to chase their dreams and follow their hearts, if I don't live by that I'm not being honest with myself.

"I'm leaving knowing that I have signed a 'lifetime agreement' with the Eels, so if I return to the NRL, it will be to Parramatta."

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/jarryd-hayne-quits-nrl-to-pursue-nfl-career-20141015-1167mn.html#ixzz3GAcK876q


Any decent coach that can show him how to play american football has a cheap gem on their hands, don't know what position he would play but he could easily play WR, RB, CB, SS and KR/PR if someone nudges him the correct teachings.

[ludy51]

Interesting story. Hope he does well but not sure if he gets a huge shot at 27 years old

[Pats]

New england could use him right now since ridley went down, he wouldn't cost much and he can do damage. Just hope he doesn't get picked up by some place like jacksonville where he will be forgotten on an awful team.

[Pats]

Apparently it's the seahawks that want him and he's been doing offseason american football training the past few years to get up to speed with it all as well.

[Inqui]

For our American friends who don't know who Mr Hayne is (computer's on mute, apologies if the music sucks):

 

[Pats]

For our American friends who don't know who Mr Hayne is (computer's on mute, apologies if the music sucks):

 

I think greg inglis would destroy the league but he ain't coming, jarryd will be decent though I think.

[Inqui]

I think greg inglis would destroy the league but he ain't coming, jarryd will be decent though I think.

Tbh I'm a bit dubious of how he'll do. The athleticism could be there (though a lot of even the minor guys could still torch him I reckon), but I think learning the game will be his big challenge - the NFL is far more cerebral than league.

 

Still, it'll be interesting to follow. He's one of the best athletes in Australia so this could answer a few questions of how guys like him would fare in the NFL.

[Pats]

Tbh I'm a bit dubious of how he'll do. The athleticism could be there (though a lot of even the minor guys could still torch him I reckon), but I think learning the game will be his big challenge - the NFL is far more cerebral than league.

 

Still, it'll be interesting to follow. He's one of the best athletes in Australia so this could answer a few questions of how guys like him would fare in the NFL.

Well if he learned anything the last 2 off seasons training it he should do well, also I heard he is joining the league officially next season so he can train with a team from now til then and get better before debuting.

[arnie_uk]

Physically, athletically the majority of rugby players could play nfl.

[allblackraven]

I always thought league players, with few exceptions, would be better suited to try their luck in the NFL than union guys. Not holding my breath on Jarryd - at 27 it'll be a huge ask to successfully switch. Good on him for trying, I wish him luck.

[52520Andrew]

Go get him Ozzie!!!!!

 

In all seriousness, he has the athleticism it appears but the mental bit should be interesting. I am guessing RB would be the position he would play?

[arnie_uk]

I always thought league players, with few exceptions, would be better suited to try their luck in the NFL than union guys. Not holding my breath on Jarryd - at 27 it'll be a huge ask to successfully switch. Good on him for trying, I wish him luck.

what makes you say that?

[Inqui]

what makes you say that?

I can't speak for my compatriot, but I'd say union players are more conditioned for endurance while league is more of an intermediate for the NFL with its higher tempo.

[Pats]

what makes you say that?

In league the pace is very fast paced and the athletes in my opinion are better than the union athletes. He would destroy at KR and PR but I think we can get more use out of him than just that. Also there is no fair catch rule in rugby league so you have to catch giant towering kicks without dropping them knowing you are gonna get smashed by the running defense when you catch it.

[Inqui]

Go get him Ozzie!!!!!

 

In all seriousness, he has the athleticism it appears but the mental bit should be interesting. I am guessing RB would be the position he would play?

RB was my thought, but I saw the case for how him potentially taking the 4th or 5th spot on the WR depth chart wouldn't be out of the question, especially if he can learn a few decent routes. I mean, if Greg Little just got a call-up you'd think someone would be fine with taking a chance on Hayne. And he's already talked about wanting to play punt returner (couldn't be worse than Jacoby....).

 

My questions are about learning a playbook (anyone remember that play Aaron Rodgers called that dragged on for about 20 seconds?), adjusting to pads and just how athletic he'd be compared to the American athletes.

[allblackraven]

what makes you say that?

The way you can legally hit a ball carrier in the league, as opposed to union, is much more similar to what you can do in NFL. Players get used to it and run differently than rugby guys who, most of the time, don't expect being treated by shoulder smacks. The field is also less crowded - they must have better feel for space I reckon.

[Pats]

RB was my thought, but I saw the case for how him potentially taking the 4th or 5th spot on the WR depth chart wouldn't be out of the question, especially if he can learn a few decent routes. I mean, if Greg Little just got a call-up you'd think someone would be fine with taking a chance on Hayne. And he's already talked about wanting to play punt returner (couldn't be worse than Jacoby....).

 

My questions are about learning a playbook (anyone remember that play Aaron Rodgers called that dragged on for about 20 seconds?), adjusting to pads and just how athletic he'd be compared to the American athletes.

The only concern I would have is his blocking skill if he is ever thrown in that position, also he clearly is gonna bulk up and speed up a bit so that make shim even more appealing to gamble on. Really it's not much of a gamble he won't cost much and bad kickers and track runners and useless players have gotten chances and paid way more despite being garbage. He could punt too if you needed as well.

[allblackraven]

Agree with Inqui and Pats on the pace thing, too but to the extent - there is still huge difference compared to NFL.

[52520Andrew]

RB was my thought, but I saw the case for how him potentially taking the 4th or 5th spot on the WR depth chart wouldn't be out of the question, especially if he can learn a few decent routes. I mean, if Greg Little just got a call-up you'd think someone would be fine with taking a chance on Hayne. And he's already talked about wanting to play punt returner (couldn't be worse than Jacoby....).

 

My questions are about learning a playbook (anyone remember that play Aaron Rodgers called that dragged on for about 20 seconds?), adjusting to pads and just how athletic he'd be compared to the American athletes.

 

That is why I think RB would be a better option for him, he could run routes out of there as a receiver if he wanted but it isn't a position that requires too much thought

[allblackraven]

Go get him Ozzie!!!!!

 

In all seriousness, he has the athleticism it appears but the mental bit should be interesting. I am guessing RB would be the position he would play?

Talking about RBs, I always wanted to see how would these two guys do (both wingers turned midfielders - rugby union players)

 

 

 

Both of them would make solid linebackers, too.

[Pats]

Talking about RBs, I always wanted to see how would these two guys do (both wingers turned midfielders - rugby union players)

 

 

 

Both of them would make solid linebackers, too.

Jerry collins, jonah lomu, joe rocokoco and sonny bill would be decent players from the kiwis side.

[52520Andrew]

Just in case you guys didn't see, apparently Seattle is showing interest

[arnie_uk]

Someone like habana or the best could easily play in nfl coming from union, again physically and athletically. The best would make one hell of a 34 de.

[Pats]

Someone like habana or the best could easily play in nfl coming from union, again physically and athletically. The best would make one hell of a 34 de.

Habana is stupidly fast, some of those south african players would just torch everyone and get open easy. Although if you drafted a south african forward be prepared to give away 10 penalties for unsportmanslike conduct and fights every play heh.

[arnie_uk]

Surprised SBW hasn't tried his hand at itm seeing as though he switches formats almost yearly

[Inqui]

Just in case you guys didn't see, apparently Seattle is showing interest

http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/parramatta-eels/nfl-interest-in-jarryd-hayne-exceeds-wildest-expectations-after-nrl-superstar-announces-code-switch-20141016-11731i.html

 

It's his manager talking, so take that with a pinch of salt, but it sounds like the hype is beginning to build. Could be a nice way for the NFL to build its reputation in Australia too.

[Pats]

Surprised SBW hasn't tried his hand at itm seeing as though he switches formats almost yearly

He's going back to union and then after that contracts up I guess he'll try league again or maybe even the NFL if hayne gets a decent shot

[Inqui]

Surprised SBW hasn't tried his hand at itm seeing as though he switches formats almost yearly

SBW could be one of the best ever at a sport if he just stuck to one. Instead he plays jump rope with the codes and you're left wondering what could have been. Like a Bo Jackson that kissed his own reflections in the mirror.

[arnie_uk]

SBW could be one of the best ever at a sport if he just stuck to one. Instead he plays jump rope with the codes and you're left wondering what could have been. Like a Bo Jackson that kissed his own reflections in the mirror.

don't think its fair he will get starting for nz in rwc instead of someone else

[allblackraven]

don't think its fair he will get starting for nz in rwc instead of someone else

It's not. I hated that 3 years ago and am already hating it for the next WC.