Emotional Jarryd Hayne admits he shed a tear when he finally learned he had achieved his dream of making the NFL after being named in San Francisco 49ers roster

  • Jarryd Hayne has been named in the starting 53-player team of the San Francisco 49ers
  • Admitted he shed a tear when he learned he had achieved his NFL dream 
  • Ex-rugby league star impressed for the 49ers in four preseason games
  • The 49ers are one of the most recognisable sports teams in the world
  • Experts say Hayne could earn around $12 million a year in endorsements

An emotional Jarryd Hayne has revealed he shed a tear when he learned he had been named in the San Francisco 49ers 53-man roster on Sunday morning local time.

The former NRL star has made an incredible switch from the Australian game to the NFL with the full support of millions of those from his home country.

'Yeah, I did [cry],' Hayne said according to the Sydney Morning Herald

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Australian Hayne has made his way onto the San Francisco 49ers final 53-man roster for the upcoming NFL season

Australian Jarryd Hayne has made his way onto the San Francisco 49ers final 53-man roster for the upcoming NFL season

The 27-year-old said realising his dream of playing the NFL was a 'long process' and thank his family and fans for their ongoing support. 

'I am over the moon,' Hayne said, according to the 49ers

'I didn't just wake up and want to be an NFL player one day. It was a long process with a lot of dark days and a lot of joyous days. Whenever I start talking about what I've been through, the emotions get stirred up.

'The people who are really close to me jumped on board. We just had fun. That's what the whole journey has been about. I wanted to take a risk, and I wanted to put myself out there. 

'Faith without action is dead. This whole journey, I've never felt so alive,' Hayne added.

 On Sunday morning Australian time the news that the former NRL star had been named in the 49ers 53-man roster was met with joy from Hayne's home country. 

Hayne stunned US commentators during four pre-season selection games with his running, pass receives and a stunning hit on a huge player in the US National Football League - one of the world's richest and most watched sports.

But he still had a nervous wait to learn if he had done enough to join one of the most recognised - and marketable - sports teams in the world.  

The former NRL star confirmed his spot on the team with a tweet early Sunday morning Australian time 

The former NRL star confirmed his spot on the team with a tweet early Sunday morning Australian time 

The 49ers tweeted they were aboard the #HaynePlane', alongside a picture of the former NRL star shaking hands with head coach Jim Tomsula

The 49ers tweeted they were aboard the #HaynePlane', alongside a picture of the former NRL star shaking hands with head coach Jim Tomsula

Earlier in the day Hayne was nervously awaiting news of his future in the NFL

Earlier in the day Hayne was nervously awaiting news of his future in the NFL

Hayne got some positive signal on Friday, US time, when the 49ers made some surprise cuts to their roster, but Jarryd Hayne was not a casualty.

Hayne confirmed his success with a celebratory tweet.

'IT ALWAYS WORKS OUT!' tweeted.

'I thank GOD for WHAT HE has done and going to do on this incredible journey!! I'm on the 53 MAN ROSTER FOR THE #49ers.'

The San Francisco 49ers also tweeted about Hayne's spot on the team.

'Welcome aboard mate! #HaynePlane #49ers', they wrote alongside a photo of the Aussie shaking hands with head coach Jim Tomsula.

However Tomsula has already warned the Aussie sportsman this is just the beginning of his journey in the NFL.

The former NRL star capped off his stellar preseason with another strong performance in his fourth and final chance to impress, amassing 118 all-purpose yards against the San Diego Charger

The former NRL star capped off his stellar preseason with another strong performance in his fourth and final chance to impress, amassing 118 all-purpose yards against the San Diego Charger

'Welcome to the starting line, it's a long race,' the head coach said in a text message to Hayne, according to the Sydney Morning Herald

The former NRL star capped off his stellar preseason with another strong performance in his fourth and final chance to impress, amassing 118 all-purpose yards against the San Diego Chargers. 

Hayne also stunningly ran over a defender who tried to tackle him, sending San Diego cornerback Lowell Rose flying to the turf with a brutal shoulder charge. 

Some experts think Hayne has definitely earned a spot on the roster.

'I believe he deserves a spot,' NFL Network analyst Marc Sessler told Daily Mail Australia. 

'I have to believe the Niners - in need of playmakers - want the first shot at turning him into a productive player. If they try to sneak him on their practice squad, he'll be stolen away.

'He can help their special teams and showed legitimate open-field talent.'

Hayne warms up before their NFL preseason game against the San Diego Chargers at Levi's Stadium on September 3

Hayne warms up before their NFL preseason game against the San Diego Chargers at Levi's Stadium on September 3

'The Hayne Plane' should find out on Saturday if he made the 49ers final 53-man roster

'The Hayne Plane' should find out on Saturday if he made the 49ers final 53-man roster

Mr Sessler also said, despite the massive media interest around Hayne, what the American Football newcomer has achieved is being underrated. 

'I don't think any of us realise how challenging it is to learn the game and even appear competent on the field,' he said. 

'To hit the field in such a short time and deliver difference-making plays is highly impressive. His teammates clearly believe it's no fluke.

'I wouldn't be surprised to see a film based off (Hayne's preseason).'

However, the NFL analyst said Hayne still has a lot of work to do if he makes it onto a final roster, citing his ability to 'manage pain and play through pain' and whether he is able to 'improve his game' once opposing teams develop a game-plan to slow him down. 

Speaking after his final preseason outing, Hayne said he was pleased with his performance. 

Hayne is tackled by San Diego's Adrian Phillips during the fourth and final game of San Francisco's preseason

Hayne is tackled by San Diego's Adrian Phillips during the fourth and final game of San Francisco's preseason

His brutal hit on Lowell Rose showcased some of Hayne's amazing rugby league skills

WHAT WERE JARRYD HAYNE'S PRESEASON STATISTICS? 

Game One vs Houston

5 carries for 63 yards

2 punt returns for 24 yards

1 kick return for 33 yards

Total: 120 yards 

Game Two vs Dallas 

8 carries for 54 yards

3 punt returns for 84 yards

Total: 138 yards 

Game Three vs Denver

2 carriers for 0 yards

1 reception for 18 yards

1 punt return for 12 yards

Total: 30 yards

Game Four vs San Diego

10 carries for 58 yards

2 receptions for 17 yards

3 punt returns for 43 yards

Total: 118 yards 

PRESEASON TOTAL: 406 yards 

'That was my most complete game,' the 27-year-old told reporters in the locker room.

'For the first time I was comfortable and getting the pads low.'

He also praised San Francisco's coaching staff for its contribution to his performance, and described his improved play as the culmination of hours of work on the practice field. 

'I think every game I've gotten better... I've just worked hard,' Hayne said.

When reporters asked the rookie running back about his chances of securing a place on the 49ers' roster, he modestly quipped: 'I don't control the future and if I can't control it then it try not to worry about it.'

Overall, Hayne averaged more than 100 all-purpose yards each game across the preseason, with 101.5.

Broken down, he carried the ball 25 times for 175 yards at an average of 7 yards per attempt. The NFL's leading rusher, DeMarco Murray, averaged 4.7 yards per carry last season - however he ran the ball 392 times.

Hayne racked up 163 yards on nine punt returns, with an average of 18 per attempt. During the 2014 season, versatile running back Darren Sproles averaged 13 yards, which was the highest in the league.

The ex-NRL star also returned one kick for 33 yards, and caught three passes for 35 yards. 

His output and attitude has impressed a number of coaches and players across the league, including San Francisco legend Jerry Rice.

 Hayne lunges to tackle San Diego Chargers punt returner Javontee Herndon 

 Hayne lunges to tackle San Diego Chargers punt returner Javontee Herndon 

San Francisco 49ers rookie running back Jarryd Hayne (38) walks off the field after an NFL preseason football game against the San Diego Chargers in Santa Clara

San Francisco 49ers rookie running back Jarryd Hayne (38) walks off the field after an NFL preseason football game against the San Diego Chargers in Santa Clara

Punt returning was Hayne's most impressive area of the preseason, where he averaged 18 yards on his nine attempt

Punt returning was Hayne's most impressive area of the preseason, where he averaged 18 yards on his nine attempts

WHO IS JARRYD HAYNE? 

  • Jarryd Hayne debuted in the NRL with the Parramatta Eels in 2006. He made a name for himself instantly, scoring 17 tries in his first 16 games as a rookie.
  • In 2009, the rugby league star won his first Dally M Award, recognising him as the NRL's best player. His season has been dubbed one of the greatest individual performances ever by some. 
  • He won his second Dally M in 2014, when he was the co-winner with Johnathan Thurston.
  • Hayne retired from the NRL in October, 2014.
  • The San Francisco 49ers announced they had reached a deal with Hayne in March, 2015. 

Hayne's NRL career by the numbers

  • Hayne played 176 games for Parramatta, scoring 103 tries. 
  • He also represented New South Wales in State of Origin 20 times, and played for Australia 12 times. 

'I'm loving it. Every time he touches the football there's something spectacular going on,' Rice told NFL.com last month.

'He's doing everything he can to make his mark and also win a spot on this football team.'

Denver Broncos' defender Von Miller also gave Hayne a glowing review, after the two sides faced off earlier in the preseason.

'You could tell he's real comfortable with the football,' Broncos linebacker Miller said, according to the Sydney Morning Herald. 

'You could tell running the ball he looks comfortable. He was catching punts today and running.

'I'd like to think if you could play rugby, you could play football ... It's a lot more running and contact. You hit without pads over there. If you can play rugby, you can play football in my opinion.' 

Hayne's 40-yard-dash time, the method used by NFL scouts to ranks players by speed, was 4.53 seconds - just 0.10 second slower than the faster rookie this season. 

He can also bench press the league-standard 102 kilograms 22 times, a figure that would have been in the top 10 of this year's Draft Combine - where the best young players from across the country get put through their paces ahead of the draft.

The Australian star has proven so popular during the preseason, he was recently added to EA Sports American Football video game, Madden NFL 2016. 

Hayne tweeted this image after the game with the caption: '2015 San Fransisco 49ers rookie class. What a journey it has been. Love to the homies'

Hayne tweeted this image after the game with the caption: '2015 San Fransisco 49ers rookie class. What a journey it has been. Love to the homies'

Hayne caused a frenzy online when he took to the field at Levi's Stadium on September 3

Jarryd Hayne caused a frenzy online when he took to the field at Levi's Stadium on September 3

Hayne is the son of former NRL player Manoa Thomspon, who spent most of his career with the South Sydney Rabbitohs. 

He was raised by his single-mother in the working class suburb of Minto in Sydney's south-west.

After debuting in the NRL in 2006 with the Parramatta Eels, Hayne became one of the biggest rugby league stars in the world - winning two Dally M awards, which are given to the league's best player each season. 

He walked away from the sport in 2014 to chase his dream of playing in the NRL, but has promised if he ever returned to rugby league, it would be with Parramatta. 

 Hayne is a picture of concentration during warm ups ahead of his final preseason game

 Hayne is a picture of concentration during warm ups ahead of his final preseason game

San Francisco 49ers' Hayne, centre, is tackled by San Diego Chargers' Kyle Miller (86) and Colton Underwood during the first half of an NFL preseason football game in Santa Clara

San Francisco 49ers' Jarryd Hayne, centre, is tackled by San Diego Chargers' Kyle Miller (86) and Colton Underwood during the first half of an NFL preseason football game in Santa Clara

The former Parramatta Eels star has made headlines all preseason with his impressive performances

The former Parramatta Eels star has made headlines all preseason with his impressive performances

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