Jarryd Hayne Quits Eels To Play NFL

Parramatta co-captain and New South Wales fullback Jarryd Hayne has dropped an almighty bombshell. 

The reigning Dally M co-champion has announced he's quitting the NRL in order to play American football.

Jarryd Hayne had been contemplating walking out on rugby league for some time.

He has no contract and no NFL team to go to, but Hayne insists it's a decision he hasn't rushed into.

"I realistically should have made it 12 months ago, but I just didn't have the courage. Today I did."

"Emotion was keeping me in rugby league. I didn't feel like it was challenging me to the point where I will now be challenged. I didn't feel like it was pulling me and testing me the way that I endeavour to be challenged and tested."

Hayne has released the news in a letter to Eels members, saying he has been seriously considering it for the last 12 months.

Hayne says it's always been a dream of his to play in the NFL and it's his one and only chance.

"It wasn't a decision I made last week or the week before, it's been in my heart for some time now. 

Parramatta's granted him a conditional release, but he's also agreed that if he returns to the NRL it will be with the Eels.

The move means he will also withdraw from the Kangaroos squad to play the upcoming Four Nations 

Penrith fullback Matt Moylan has been called into the Kangaroos' Four Nations squad, following Hayne's withdrawal. 

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The NRL believes it did everything it could to keep Jarryd Hayne in rugby league.

CEO Dave Smith says he would have been happy to exercise his marquee player discretion to stop ?????the New South Wales fullback heading to American football.

But, Hayne says no amount of cash was going to stop him chasing his dream.

"I was probably about to become the highest paid player in the NRL, the highest paid player in the history of Rugby League, but my whole dream as a professional athlete was to buy my Mum a house, and I did that, and I think everything else has been a bonus." 

Eels chief executive Scott Seward, who granted Hayne a conditional release, says they support his move.

"He's doing this for the right reasons. It's not about the game, it's not about this club, this is about Jarryd fulfilling a dream that he wants to do, so there is no way we could stand in his way."

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