Former NRL star Jarryd Hayne has made the cut for the San Franciso 49ers 53-man NFL squad for the 2015 season, with rugby league players, clubs and fans all showing their pride and support.
"I am over the moon," Hayne told 49ers.com after confirmation of his new contract.
"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."
NFL teams had until 1pm Saturday, San Francisco time (6am Sunday AEST) to select their 53-man rosters for the upcoming season, with Hayne explaining the tension as the deadline grew near.
"It was probably the last 10 minutes, like what's going on? Do I get a phone call? Is someone going to call me and tell me I have a job?" Hayne said.
"It was the most nervous I've been in a while.
"It was more trying to get confirmation than anything. And then it was a sigh of relief."
The reaction on social media said it all about a man who put everything on the line to chase his dream.
IT ALWAYS WORKS OUT! 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.
— jarryd hayne (@jarrydhayne_1) September 5, 2015Wake up 🇦🇺! @jarrydhayne_1 has made the #49ers 53-man roster. pic.twitter.com/3N0EiXhwFA
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) September 5, 201588 seconds of @jarrydhayne_1 steam-rolling defenders from the NFL and @NRL. Because #HaynePlaneHereToStay. http://t.co/LS2ohIRK8P
— NFL (@NFL) September 5, 2015Congrats @jarrydhayne_1. inspiration bro 👏🏾👏🏾.time to jump on the #49ers bandwagon. https://t.co/3NeYH3aDCk
— Manu Ma'u (@M_Mau88) September 5, 2015Congratulations to @jarrydhayne_1 on making the 53 man @49ers roster. An incredible athlete and what a story. Best wishes from all at Manly
— Manly Sea Eagles (@SeaEagles) September 5, 2015Congratulations from #WarriorNation bro @jarrydhayne_1 #inspirational #HaynePlane #NFL #NRL #49ers pic.twitter.com/3jx90XUak8
— Vodafone Warriors (@NZWarriors) September 6, 2015Congratulations to @jarrydhayne_1 left all he knew behind to follow a dream and he achieved it. What an inspiration to many. #HaynePlane
— Brett Morris (@bmozzle) September 6, 2015So much respect and admiration for @jarrydhayne_1 chased a dream and achieved it! NFL gonna be HUGE now downunder! #HaynePlane
— Keith Galloway (@kgalloway85) September 5, 2015
