Jarryd Hayne of the National Rugby League, has decided to quit the sport and pursue his dream of playing in the NFL.
Hayne made the decision final and told the media he will be pursuing his dream and leaving the league that made him famous. Hayne was granted a release from his club, Parramatta Eels, and recently won the league’s highest individual accolade for a second time last month.
"For the past 24 months I've been thinking about having a crack in the NFL, and over the last 12 months I've been seriously considering it," Hayne said in a letter published on the Eels' website.
"Today I can officially announce that I will be heading to the United States to pursue an opportunity to play American Football.”
"I believe I have the speed, I'm a quick learner, I feel things out really quickly," he said. "I have no doubt it's going to be tough. Ultimately it's a 12-month plan, going over there and trying to make a train-on team. For me to do that I need to start preparing for that around January or February.”
At 26 years old and 6-foot-2, 220-pounds, Hayne is interested in pursuing a position in football that will allow for more contact as opposed to most rugby players who opt to be kickers. Hayne's agent, Wayne Beavis, told The Associated Press that his client has the ideal speed and size to play in the NFL and now was the right time for him to make the leap.
Hayne will take the year to get in football shape and attempt to play for an NFL team next season.
[ESPN]
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