In a shock move, Hayne and the San Francisco 49ers have announced his retirement from the NFL.
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Hayne has just 81 days before the start of the Olympics, but his shock decision has been endorsed by Roosters premiership victor and Japan rugby global Wing. Former Australian rugby league star Jarryd Hayne’s hopes of chasing an Olympic dream after ditching a career in American football may be scuttled by anti-doping protocols, it emerged on May 16, 2016.
He was born and raised in Sydney but his father, ex-South Sydney back line star Manoa Thompson, was born in Fiji. Hayne received overwhelming support and understanding from the 49ers organization for his decision.
“The 49ers organisation has been incredibly supportive throughout my journey and I can not thank them and the support staff enough”, said the former Dally M victor.
Hayne has not played sevens rugby before but said he had been in touch with friends for advice about making the transition.
He signed with the San Francisco 49ers as an undrafted free agent in March 2015 and entered training camp as a running back and punt returner.
San Francisco 49ers general manager Trent Baalke paid tribute to Hayne’s contribution.
Horne was non-committal about Hayne’s prospects of cracking the Fijian Olympic squad.
He’s joined the Fijian sevens side in London, in preparation for this weekend’s London Sevens tournament. Subsequent commentary suggested the six month requirement was for players who were highly questionable previously. “But NFL is PED (performance-enhancing drugs) badlands”.
It is estimated Hayne is worth at least $1 million a season in the NRL, and any contract lodged by a club before June 30 would need to be around one third of his value, setting his minimum price for this season around $300,000.
But Ings believes the restriction is a vital one.
“There is no rule under (the WADA) Code and International Standards, nor for the Rio Games under the International Olympic Committee Anti-Doping Rules, that makes it mandatory for an athlete planning to take part in the Olympics to be available for testing six months ahead of the competition”, Durand told USA Today. “And necessary”, Ings tweeted. News stories displayed here appear in our category for Sports and are licensed via a specific agreement between LongIsland.com and The Associated Press, the world’s oldest and largest news organization. “Sensibly it must or any National Football League player could bulk up and play”.
Fiji are now leading the World Sevens Series standings going into the final tournament of the circuit in London, sitting on 166 points from nine tournaments and in pole position to take the 2015/16 Series title.
“I have no promises he is going to make the 12, but we will see how he goes”, Ryan told World Rugby’s website.
“I simply could not pass that chance up”, Hayne said.
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Hayne has been linked with an NRL return to the Sydney Roosters over the past six months, but both Hayne and Parramatta have claimed he had signed a lifetime deal with the Eels when he made his 2014 exit from the NRL.
