The GOAT Jerry Rice talks Jarryd Hayne

ONE of the biggest names in NFL history has weighed into the Jarryd Hayne conversation. Meanwhile, Hayne copped a hit in practice today.

The GOAT talks Jarryd Hayne

ONE of the biggest names in NFL history has weighed into the Jarryd Hayne conversation, and you can add him to the growing list of fans.

NFL legend Jerry Rice, who spent the majority of Hall of Fame career at the San Francisco 49ers, was full of praise for the Aussie convert.

“I love it. Every time he touches the football there is something spectacular going on,” Rice told NFL Network.

“He’s doing everything he can to make his mark and also win a spot on this football team and I think right now he has a very good chance.”

Rice is widely regarded as the greatest wide receiver the sport has ever seen and was chosen by NFL Network’s The Top 100: NFL’s Greatest Players as the greatest player in NFL history.

Jerry Rice is a 49ers legend.

Hayne copped a hit in practice with the Denver Broncos this morning ahead of their pre-season game proper with the 49ers on Sunday (AEST).

The former Parramatta Eels was reportedly nailed with his first touch of the football, but later responded with a 60m touchdown — even if there was hardly a defender to beat.

Hayne said it was good to get altitude training in.

First day practice at Broncos facility. Good to get that altitude training in. What's good in Denver?

— jarryd hayne (@jarrydhayne_1) August 26, 2015

Head coach Jim Tomsula speaks with Jarryd Hayne inside the 49ers’ locker room.

‘HE’S BETTER THAN SEX’

A PRETTY ridiculous tribute song has been released in honour of Hayne.

Recorded by Australian musicians The Robertson Brothers, the song is growing in popularity on YouTube.

“He’s an Aussie who can play,” the song begins, heavily auto-tuned.

“He’s an Aussie called the Hayne Plane.

“He’s an Aussie and the whole world’s watching.

“Watching him running Watching him stiff-arming.

A rapper then chimes in with:

“A rugger that’s untouchable, you’d swear he’s been blessed.

“San Francisco was the one to invest.

“The NFL’s gone mad, this guy’s better than sex.

“Fresh out of Australia, California dreamin’.

“As soon as he stepped on the scene, we hear the fans screamin’.

“The way he’s adapted to this game has been obscene.

“A lean, mean money-making machine you’ve ever seen.”

Watch the full song below.

THE MAN WHO INTRODUCED HAYNE TO NFL

THE man who introduced Jarryd Hayne to American football says even he’s shocked by how natural the ex-Parramatta fullback looks on an NFL field.

Manly backrower Justin Horo has been cheering on Hayne from 12,000km away as his former Eels teammate attempts to break into the San Francisco 49ers squad.

After breakout performance in his first two pre-season games, Hayne is on course to make the 49ers’ final 53-man roster and has shocked most pundits with his rapid progress in his new game. Hayne received the spark of inspiration to chance his arm in the US while playing the Madden videogame.

Horo, an American football buff, says he got Hayne hooked on the game and watched his interest grow from hobby to consuming passion.

“Like everyone I’m just surprised at how easy he’s picking up the game and he just looks natural over there already, swapping the ball into each hand and stiff-arming or palming people,” Horo said.

“He’s going pretty well. Hopefully he can make that 53-man squad.”

Horo has been in regular contact with Hayne in California and said his success is a result of his dedication and diligence.

He said the 27-year-old has spent most of his time with his head in the San Francisco playbook and it explains a lot of his rapid progress.

“Apart from playing Madden he had very little knowledge about the game (when he went to the US),” Horo said.

“A couple of times I tried to speak to him at night time and he was just exhausted. He’d trained from nine to three ... and he’d spend four or five hours in the playbook.

“He’s done his work and is reaping the rewards.”

Horo admitted he didn’t think Hayne would be able to crack the NFL, but he’s now planning to travel to the US to watch him and has already hit him up for tickets.

“He went over there expecting to make it,” Horo said.

“That’s the sort of character and guy he is and it’s just water off a duck’s back and he’s supposed to be there.

“And good on him, that’s the confidence I suppose it takes.”

— with Steve Zemek, AAP

Horo and Hayne in their Parramatta days.