‘Jarryd Hayne should be America’s favourite player’

THE 49ers are in a deep depression, but the US media believe a little known Australian “rugby” player could be the man to change everything.

HOUSTON, TX - AUGUST 15: Jarryd Hayne #38 of the San Francisco 49ers breaks the tackle attempt of Rahim Moore #26 of the Houston Texans in the first half at NRG Stadium on August 15, 2015 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)

IT’S official: The Australian media aren’t the only ones losing their minds over Jarryd Hayne’s transition to the NFL.

Nate Scott, writing for USA Today’s For The Win, went as as far as to encourage NFL fans everywhere to make the Hayne Plane their new favourite player.

“If you are looking for an NFL player to root for this fall, may I humbly offer up former National Rugby League star and all-around fascinating individual Jarryd Hayne?” Scott wrote.

“Hayne was the league MVP of the National Rugby League in Australia, a player known as much for his creativity and intelligence as his bruising runs in the open field. His highlight film from his time there is so great I started laughing watching it. (The Superman theme music helped, too.)

“Hayne weighs in at 220 pounds, and while he’s still learning the NFL game, he’s got the speed, size and quickness to be devastating in the open field. If the 49ers can figure out a way to get him the ball in space, he could be a real impact player for them.

“The 49ers have talent at running back, but Hayne is a special talent, and the team should seriously consider keeping him around.”

Grantland’s Andrew Sharp agreed, saying Hayne was the man to bring the San Francisco 49ers out of a deep depression.

In an entertaining article titled “Let’s Watch the Hayne Plane fly the Niners Out of the Darkness”, Sharp wrote: “It’s been a rough year. In fact, it’s been quite possibly the most depressing 12 months any team’s had in the 21st century. They might as well just do the humane thing and cancel this season right no — What’s that? Is that … Is that the Hayne Plane’s music?

Could Hayne be the man to pull the 49ers out of the darkness?

Sharp then got a little crazy.

“HAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYNNNNNEEEEE PLAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAANE,” he exclaimed.

“Jarryd Hayne — a.k.a. Hayne Plane, a.k.a. Hayne Train — is a former Rugby League superstar from Australia who walked away from the richest contract offer in league history to try his hand at the NFL,” Sharp went on.

“It would be like LeBron leaving the NBA to play for the Browns, except this isn’t just an obnoxious hypothetical, because he really did it.”

Sharp managed to settle himself, however, and provide some context.

“Now, a reality check: The Niners are already pretty well set at running back. They have Carlos Hyde, Kendall Hunter, and the ghost of Reggie Bush, and they used a fourth-round pick on Mike Davis from South Carolina. But how many of those players are former rugby superstars who will make everyone smile every time they touch the ball? Any of them?

“None of them.

“I just want to watch him play football. He adds a breath of fresh air to a team that needs it more than any other.”