Jim Thorpe. Deion Sanders. Bo Jackson. Jarryd Hayne?
A former rugby standout could be well on his way to becoming the next great multi-sport superstar. Well maybe not quite yet. But at least his NFL preseason debut was a big step in the right direction.
27-year-old running back Jarryd Hayne put on a show for the San Francisco 49ers in their preseason game against the Houston Texans on Saturday.
Hayne was previously known for his illustrious nine-year career in the sport of rugby. A two-time National Rugby League player of the year as well as a former International Player of the Year selection, he left behind his career on the pitch last October in the pursuit of a future in the NFL.
The San Francisco 49ers took a flyer on Hayne, an athletic specimen but a wildly-unknown commodity, in March. They inked him to a three-year deal as an undrafted free agent in the hopes that he would provide the team with a burst of energy on special teams as well as on potential gimmick plays in the backfield.
In the Niners’ preseason opener over the weekend, he managed to do all that and more.
Early in the second quarter, Hayne took the handoff and proceeded to slice through the Houston defense for a 53-yard run.
Rugby player Jarryd Hayne busts out 53 yard run for the Niners pic.twitter.com/nFPFJXbdEx
— gifdsports (@gifdsports) August 16, 2015
Here is another angle of Hayne’s run:
This rugby league star quit to attempt an NFL career. It appears to be working out so far: http://t.co/Qq82iaD4OO pic.twitter.com/zT8ag333rM
— SB Nation (@SBNation) August 16, 2015
The Australian also found success returning punts for the Niners…
Jarryd Hayne is in the running early for MVP of the game. He fields punt cleanly and gets upfield for an 11-yard return.
— Matt Maiocco (@MaioccoCSN) August 16, 2015
…as well as kickoffs with this 33-yard scamper to begin the second half.
Jarryd Hayne kick-off return to start the 3rd Qtr…we counted 7 obstructions ref! #SFvHou
https://t.co/SfNiFU6tEt
— Sportsbet.com.au (@sportsbetcomau) August 16, 2015
While it’s unlikely Hayne will emerge into a reliable contributor in San Francisco, at the very least he’s proving that his freakish athleticism translates very well to Swiss Army knife capabilities on the gridiron.
Jarryd Hayne is more than just a nice narrative, folks.
