Former rugby league star Jarryd Hayne has announced he has agreed to a futures contract with the San Francisco 49ers at a press conference in Sydney today.
Hayne also had serious offers from the Detroit Lions and Seattle Seahawks for an NFL futures contract. He thanked all the clubs that showed interest in him, particularly the Lions, who he thought he would be joining.
Hayne said despite thinking he would be joining the Lions, last Friday he told San Francisco he would be taking up their offer after their ‘serious offer’.
The futures contract doesn’t hold any guarantees except for time practicing with a team.
Hayne announced he will be moving over to the United States in the near future.
Hayne said he was aware that the “serious stuff starts now”, and acknowledged that today’s announcement and signing the deal was “just a small step in the right direction.”
Hayne was confident his attitude would carry him forward in taking what he considered to be “a huge risk.”
The contract he has signed is a $100,000 guarantee, which means he is guaranteed at least 15 weeks training with the franchise.
“I’m just ready to go over there and step the training up. It’s a huge amount to acclimatise to but I’m ready”.
“I’ve never been to San Francisco before, to be honest. It’s a big risk.”
Read more: How NFL futures contracts work, and why Hayne will sign one
Join us for live coverage as Jarryd Hayne reveals his NFL destination and gives us an outline of what he hopes to achieve.
peeeko
Roar Guru
problem is that so does everybody else? Does God play favourites? (sorry to sound like Fitzy)
Bondy
Guest
If two to three NRL players decide on a NFL career over a two to three year period how much publicity would they then receive,or would NFL then be deemed a threat to NRL ? . If Jarryd went and played Rugby for Toulon would the media have concentrated so much on that,or why is it when a Rugby player moves to France or Japan its barely discussed ...
Worlds Biggest
Guest
The San Fran Examiner have an article as does ESPN NFL home page. Not sure the fact he comes from League makes much difference at this stage. The average American sports fan knows it as Rugby and wouldn't be aware there are two different Rugby codes. If he manages to make the Final 53 man roster then it will garner some attention for League. Go Hayne Plane !
Freycinet1803
Roar Rookie
He's actually Australian, with a Fijian father.
turbodewd
Guest
By August Hayne will be back in the NRL or playing in the NFL pre-season.
Phil
Guest
This was on the ESPN NFL site almost the minute it happened, along with fairly indepth coverage of his whole move to NFL.
Hosey G
Guest
If he gets to start he would be the 1st Fijian playing in the NFL
Gazza
Guest
A huge win for rugby league, but I cannot find any reference to this on the US web sites or San Francisco media. Guess they will catch up soon.
Chris Kettlewell
Roar Guru
As a 49ers fan myself I must admit I was hoping he'd go 49ers over Detroit. That and the fact that I was thinking, really, where would you rather move to, California or Michigan? I'll be hard enough getting used to playing NFL in the first place without having to get used to -20 degrees in winter!
ilikedahoodoogurusingha
Guest
Good Luck Jarryd.....even though you have joined my teams fiercest rivals! Maybe you can prove yourself and replace Marshawn when he retires.......#12. :-)
Worlds Biggest
Guest
Excited he is joining my team for however long that will be, good luck to the Hayne Plane in San Fran !
The Link
Guest
Great stuff Jarryd. RL sure produces some quality athletes in Australia.
Scuba
Guest
Sydney Morning Herald 1, DT 0
Tristan Rayner
Editor
That's a wrap from the Telstra Amphitheatre. It was a surprise for many, including us, that Hayne went with the 49ers. The personnel and the guarantee of a $100k Rookie contract that gives Hayne 15-20 weeks in the sport were better than other offers, which made it an easy decision in the end and the right one, it would appear. Good luck to Jarryd!
Steve
Guest
Seeing this makes me realise just how much of an achievement Hayden Smiths was. -- Comment from The Roar's iPhone app.
pjm
Roar Rookie
He'll love it in the US
Tristan Rayner
Editor
Hayne's wearing his 49ers hat, emblazoned with the SF logo on the front as he talks about the challenges he faces - acknowledging the issues he faces learning the 49er playbook.
Tristan Rayner
Editor
Hayne admits he doesn't know anything about San Francisco - apart from fellow Australian Andrew Bogut playing NBA for Golden State - and possibly MVP candidate Steph Curry.
Tristan Rayner
Editor
Hayne explains to a question that there isn't a clear path - it all moves quite quickly and he's treading new ground.
Tristan Rayner
Editor
Asked about where he gets his belief from, Hayne nominates God. "With belief and talent, you can do anything." He says it's a faith-filled adventure.