Jarryd Hayne visits Marayong to provide Ben Ryan surprise of a lifetime
A DIEHARD San Francisco 49ers fan won a trip to watch idol Jarryd Hayne play NRL last month and thought the surprise would end there. He was wrong.
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HE’S spent more time near San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge than western Sydney recently, but if locals thought they saw Jarryd Hayne milling around Marayong this week, they were right.
He was in the neighbourhood visiting local Ben Ryan, a diehard Parramatta Eels and San Francisco 49ers fan who was given the opportunity to meet his sporting idol after winning a competition with online security company Norton, for which Hayne is an ambassador.
The 24-year-old pastry chef won after writing about how Hayne’s move to the NFL inspired him to enter his profession.
He won a trip for him and his mother Leah to watch Hayne play in the NFL on January 4.
Mr Ryan, who has supported the Eels since he was a child and the 49ers since 2008, said he was in shock when he was told he would get the chance to see Hayne play.
“Mum broke down in tears when I told her we had won,’’ he said.
“I found out a few days before Christmas and within a week Mum and I were on the plane to San Francisco. It was a complete whirlwind and we couldn’t mask our excitement.
“I don’t think we will ever experience anything like this ever again.”
Taking in the NFL tailgating experience before watching the 49ers take on the St Louis Rams at Levis Stadium, Mr Ryan was able to witness one of his favourite sports up close for the first time.
“The game was everything I could’ve hoped for and more,’’ he said.
“It was one of the greatest days of my life.
“Going to a 49ers home game was always something on my bucket list. It was great I could share the experience with my mum.”
But after returning to Sydney two weeks ago, Mr Ryan didn’t think there could be any more surprises. He was wrong.
But Mr Ryan was flabbergasted when Hayne visited Mr Ryan at his Marayong home on Wednesday.
Mr Ryan initially planned to meet organisers at his home but was shocked to see Hayne, originally from Minto, at his door step.
“Mum screamed when she saw him. She couldn’t believe it,’’ he said.
“We had a great chat about footy, the NFL and moving to America.
“It was incredible to meet Jarryd. I don’t know how I will ever top this experience.”
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