Yes, the odds are stacked high against Jarryd Hayne realising his dream, but that is not the point.
The point is that he is prepared to take a chance. So what if he doesn’t succeed – at least he will have had a go. That is something for which he should be admired.
The reaction on social media to Hayne’s decision to abandon his rugby league career and try to win a contract in the NFL has been widespread and interesting.
Most of it has been encouraging, starting with those who know little or nothing about the NFL and simply wish him the best.
Some fans with a detailed knowledge of the game have painted an accurate picture of why it is going to be extremely hard for him to succeed, while still giving him kudos for trying.
And then there have been those – thankfully in a small minority, as far as I can see – who have simply either ridiculed or rubbished his ambition.
Why they even bother to do that, I don’t know. They may want to ask themselves whether they would ever have the guts to go out of their own comfort zone at the risk of failure.
Hayne is not weak of mind, so he is not going to be put off by all of the negatives being detailed. It’s not like he didn’t already know there were going to be massive hurdles to overcome anyway.
He’s already had one victory, with the story of his bid to crack the NFL being picked up by leading US sports websites. That may at least create a bit of a curiosity factor for him.
I don’t know if Detroit Lions running back Reggie Bush had a genuine connection with Hayne or was just playing the game when the two hooked up for publicity purposes during a promotional visit by Bush at State of Origin time and Bush described Hayne as a potential NFL player.
But any positive word in the right ear from Bush that might get Hayne a toe in the door somewhere obviously wouldn’t hurt.
Back here, Paul Manera, a well-known coach at the Bondi Raiders club, which plays in the gridiron NSW competition, was integral in getting former NRL player Peni Tagive an introduction at Baylor University, where he was granted a football scholarship.
Manera appeals as someone whose advice Hayne may be well advised to seek, if he hasn’t done so already.
Hayne obviously wouldn’t be simply turning up in the US and hoping for the best. Presumably, his agent here, Wayne Beavis, is seeking to arrange agent representation for him over there.
Starting off in his bid to get on an NFL club playing roster for next season, Hayne plans to train in Los Angeles.
Regional NFL scouting combines are conducted in numerous American cities during February and March and Hayne would presumably be eligible to attend as a free agent who does not have a professional contract in another competition.
Starting in July, NFL teams invite numerous free agents to training camps to decide whether they are worth any of the spots left on their 53-man rosters.
The NFL competition begins in September.
There has been a lot of speculation about what position might best suit Hayne. It appears the best way in for him would be through special teams, primarily as a kick returner.
He could use skills he has developed as a fullback in the NRL and it would be easier to learn than more complex positions in the offense and defence.
But, of course, nothing about this is going to be simple for Hayne. There are going to be thousands of Americans who have been playing the game all their lives chasing the same spots as him.
It’s a long-shot, but good on him for having the courage to back himself in trying to pull it off.
The big losers in all of this are the Parramatta Eels, who can’t adequately replace him. He is up there with Johnathan Thurston at North Queensland when it comes to the degree of influence he has over his team’s results.
It is possible he will be back in 2016, but that won’t help them next year.
There is no way Hayne should feel guilty for leaving the club, however. He owes everything to Parramatta, but at the same time he owes nothing. They have both done pretty well out of their mutual relationship.
The Eels nurtured Hayne and brought him through to first grade, and he has been loyal to the club and re-signed at least twice when he could have earned more money elsewhere.
Now he’s taking a gamble that could earn him nothing – or make his dream come true. When he finally made that decision, he was clearly very comfortable with it.
Cathar Treize
Roar Guru
just a bunch of jealous opportunists and not true fans of the game let along supporting those who want to give it a go.
AdelaideWill
Guest
I find it odd that a player of Haynes skill would want to test themselves in a sport that he will never touch the ball in. It would be difficult to be a player who has grown up being the best player on the field who single handily winning games for his team to the player who never touches the ball. It reminds me of a comment made by Gasnier who couldn't get used to playing French Rugby and only touching the ball twice a game and being told he had an awesome game.
tamaolevao
Guest
Good luck Jarryd I know you will be a success. contrary to popular belief I think Hayne can make it onto a roster simply because he has a ton of athletic ability determination and most importantly for him a profile in another sport. the American public love "gimmicks" and seeing if a NRL poster boy at the top of his game could give the NFL a shake up could just be the thing for the most over the top sports fans anywhere in the world...its already had the effect of drawing comments from some prominent NFL stars ,agents , coach's news services..etc.... Jarryd now has the most effective commodity in US sports today ...the " Cinderella rags to riches guy came form nowhere to make it big back story' ...lol....you could almost compare it to the Israel Folau experiment in AFL where he was out to win the hearts and minds of kids out in the western suburbs of Sydney., conversely Jarryd could help a team already struggling in the NFL get a few extra bums on seats and the fans interested again just to see what the fuss is all about the media spin works really well over there...lol.. its win win for all involved the NFL are in the news for all the right reasons if they can facilitate a transition for an athlete that opens up more of the Australasia market. ( as they already have heaps of Samoans and Tongans playing...lol) , and Jarryd gets to live out a dream and maximise his earing power either way its another pathway for talented kids form this part of the world to earn and look after their families.
Gary John Lorenz
Guest
I wish Jarryd Hayne all the best in his endeavors in his new dream to play the (NFL) (National Football League). I was looking at Australians in American Football on Wikipedia & there's a number of Former/Ex (AFL) Australian Football League Players are playing the (NFL) in Gridiron American Football are (1) Saverio Rocca of both North Melbourne Kangaroos & Collingwood (Maggies) Magpies in (AFL) (2) Anthony Rocca the brother of Saverio of both Sydney Swans (Swannies) & Collingwood (Maggies) Magpies in (AFL) (3) Ben Graham of Geelong Cats in (AFL) (4) Darren Bennett of West Coast Eagles in the (AFL) (5) Nathan Chapman who played for Brisbane Bears & Brisbane Lions & Hawthorn Hawks (6) Chris Bryan played for Carlton Blues & Collingwood Magpies in the (AFL) (1) Former/Ex Australian Rugby Union Player who is playing the (NFL) Gridiron American Football is Colin Scotts who played for The Scots College in Sydney in Rugby Union in the 1980s. Also check out List of players who have converted from one football code to another by Wikipedia as well too of every football code of the world. If both Rugby Union & (AFL) Player can make it the (NFL) National Football League then I don't see why not & also don't have a problem with (NRL) National Ruby League Player/s can make into (NFL) National Football League as well too. Jarryd Hayne from Parramatta Eels of the (NRL) can be as good as both Saverio & Anthony Rocca Brothers, Darren Bennett, Chris Bryan & Ben Graham & Colin Scotts. If these Australians can make it very big in the (NFL) then Jarryd Hayne can make it too. Good on you Jarryd to follow your dreams to become another Aussie playing the Gridiron Football. I think he would be the very first (NRL) National Rugby League Player to play the (NFL) Competition. Very Good Luck Jarryd in your new (NFL) Career.
Paulipaul
Guest
All the haters make me sick. My friend in America told me there talking about hayne on TV. This is one of our own we should be proud of him. Whether he makes it or not he has done us proud.
Samantha
Roar Rookie
He is not worth anything and dosen't play well. I guess the Americans like that kind of thing.
Steve e
Guest
I love Gridiron and watch as many games as possible once the Rugby League is over, Haynes a brilliant runner of the ball in hand and having Blockers open the way for him would be sensational to watch, he's a Running Back for sure, Good Luck to him for having a go even if he is back with Parramatta next year, the break away from our game might be just what he needs.
Birdy
Guest
What I've seen of NFL if hayne gets the ball in broken play he'll smash them
TahDan
Roar Guru
He's come to a mutually acceptable arrangement with Parramatta. Contrary to populist beliefs, contracts are actually fairly malleable things so long as both parties agree to change the terms.
E-Meter
Guest
Well this story is having a dramatic effect on Eels fans. The bloke at the centre of the brothel hostage incident today was frogmarched out with his Pirtek Eels jersey on. He actually looks like Brad Arthur as well. Look what you've done Jarryd.
E-Meter
Guest
Yeah, what he said!
I Know Everything
Guest
Good on him for having a go, but I think in a very short time he'll cross the Atlantic for a stint with an English RL club or a European RU club. RL and American Football are completely different games, additionally JH will be an unknown over there, as opposed to college players etc who will have very active managers pushing their clients. Like the RL players who went to AFL, JH won't cut it in the NFL.
mushi
Guest
I wouldn’t bank on it without some evidence to support it and we’ve got nothing to support it. And just being “average” for a returner (which is already bloody fast) won’t cut it given all the other issues he needs to be a superior athlete to guys who are already superior athletes to the average NFL player who are, to labour the point superior athletes to the rest of the population. I just don’t think at 26/27 he’s got that blazing speed, and if he does he’s going to have to trim down to get it which at 6’2” will make him a thin running back with a high centre of gravity.
catcat
Guest
Good on him. Life is about experiences and living in another country for a year is a great experience (it was for me!). He will probably be back for the 2016 NRL season, but with the learnings of an NFL experience behind him. I say go for it, enjoy...send us a postcard every now and then
mushi
Guest
It isn't just the population its also that the US basically has a de facto caste system with sport being one of the boom and bust paths out of your caste Add onto that the natural advantages of genes that come from people chosen to be slaves based on their physical prowess
greg prichard
Guest
I said he's unsuitable for running back.
maximillian
Guest
You dont think Hayne can get up to NFL level speed with 11 months training? Theres no doubt this is a long shot of epic proportions. The 2 games are completely different but he has 11 months before the start of the next season to get his body in the condition required to play top level NFL. I can think of a myriad of reasons why he wont make it but I would be surprised if any of them are due to his physical conditioning.
fiver
Guest
The NFL has such a massive pool of players to pick from that go through the most rigorous system, they don't need to look outside of the box for talent. But I guess if any game has the type of player that could make a switch to NFL it's Rugby League. Both games require strength and bursts of immense speed.
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
It's tough, no doubt. But as they say, you've got to be in it to win it.
George
Guest
Why do we think that breaking a contract is OK in this country? First SBW and countless others I'm sure and now this. I don't understand why we continue condone this kind of behaviour.