Jarryd Hayne makes 49ers final roster
THE San Francisco 49ers welcomed its newest recruit with a cheeky Twitter post as the Hayne Plane finally takes off.
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FASTEN your seatbelts Australia. The Hayne Plane has made the 49ers’ 53-man roster and is ready to rock the NFL.
Rated a rank outsider by most betting agencies when he first began the pursuit of his NFL dream last year, Jarryd Hayne has defied the odds by surviving San Francisco’s final cut.
The former Parramatta Eel confirmed his inclusion in the final 53-man roster on his Twitter account early this morning.
IT ALWAYS WORKS OUT! I 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.
— jarryd hayne (@jarrydhayne_1) September 5, 2015Matt Maiocco of csnbayarea.com later confirmed that Hayne’s management had not heard from the 49ers franchise by the 6am (AEST) deadline, which suggested early on that he had survived the final round cuts and been selected in the 53-man squad.
Jarryd Hayne’s agent hasn’t heard from the 49ers, either. Yes, Australia, rejoice. Jarryd Hayne has made the #49ers. https://t.co/BFuvY5bDYt
— Matt Maiocco (@MaioccoCSN) September 5, 2015Maiocco announced the news early this morning.
“In a stunningly swift transition to a new sport in a new country, Hayne on Saturday (Sunday morning AEST) won a spot on the 49ers’ initial 53-man roster. The deadline to roster cuts arrived at 1 p.m (6am AEST), and neither Hayne nor his agent, Jack Bechta, received any bad news. That means Hayne has made the team,” he said.
The Aussie edged out running backs Kendall Gaskins and Kendall Hunter to land a permanent home at the 49ers for the 2015/16 NFL season. Hunter was placed on the injured reserve list while Gaskins was cut entirely.
The San Francisco side seemed excited by the inclusion of the electric Aussie, officially welcoming him as an incumbent 49er.
Welcome aboard mate! #HaynePlane #49ers pic.twitter.com/seyJ89ocnO
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) September 5, 2015The former Parramatta Eels full-back told media during a conference call that his journey to the NFL was about more than just making the team.
“This whole journey was never about making a roster or being on a team,” Hayne said.
“It was about giving myself an opportunity. I wanted to take a risk, put myself out there and put my faith in action.
“Faith without action is dead. This whole journey, I’ve never felt so alive.”
Hayne made an undeniable case for a permanent home in the Bay Area with a series of sensational performances in the preseason.
He ran for 175 yards at an average of seven yards per carry across four games while adding 196 punt return yards at an average of 19.6 in four games.
Australia will now wait to see whether the former NSW Origin star will be part of the 49ers’ 46-man squad for their season-opening game against the Minnesota Vikings, which will be played this Tuesday at 12.20pm (AEST).
Today’s announcement capped a remarkable journey for the boy from Minto in south-western Sydney, which began with an emotional press conference in October last year.
HAYNE’S NFL JOURNEY
2014
October 15
Hayne holds a teary press conference to announce he is quitting rugby league to pursue a career in the NFL
October 21
Arrives in LA where he bases himself for training while learning the nuances of the NFL game
Early December
Visits Detroit Lions, San Francisco 49ers and Seattle Seahawks before impressing scouts from a dozen clubs at his workout day
2015
March 3
The San Francisco 49ers announced they have signed Hayne to a three-year contract
August 2
Begins training camp with the 49ers
August 15
Impresses in his first preseason game against Houston, including a 53-yard run. Continues to shine in following games against Dallas, Denver and San Diego.
September 6
Named in San Francisco’s 53-man roster ahead of its season-opener against Minnesota.
THE HAYNE FILE
Born: February 15, 1988 (age 27) Height: 189cm Weight: 100kg
NRL career: 176 games for Parramatta, 103 tries
Representative career: Origin (NSW): 20 matches, nine tries. Australia: 12 matches, 11 tries
Fiji: 4 matches, 3 tries
2006
Scored 17 tries in 16 games in his debut season as Parramatta lifted into NRL finals. Named Dally M Rookie of the Year and picked in Kangaroos squad.
2008
Involved in a shooting incident in Sydney’s Kings Cross, where a gunshot was fired in his direction following an argument outside a nightclub.
2009
Produced a sparkling run of form which propelled Parramatta from mid-table all the way to the grand final. Hayne was named Dally M Player of the Year. Also won RLIF international player of the year.
2011
Left out of State of Origin game one by NSW coach Ricky Stuart.
2013
Named co-captain of Parramatta. After being knocked unconscious early in the World Cup final for Australia, Hayne produced a man-of-the-match performance to help win the trophy back.
2014
NSW’s most-capped current player led the Blues to a drought-breaking win over Queensland in the State of Origin series. Won second Dally M medal along with North Queensland’s Johnathan Thurston.
Originally published as Jarryd Hayne makes 49ers final roster
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