Jarryd Hayne grateful despite setbacks in first NFL season

Jarryd Hayne said his stint in playing American football has been “incredible” after wrapping up his first NFL season with the San Francisco 49ers.

Hayne, the NFL convert from Australia, has returned to his homeland after a season full of challenges with the 49ers. The Australian rugby league star only played in eight games for San Francisco courtesy of his demotion to the team’s practice squad in November. However, Hayne insisted he had achieved his goal long before his first major setback in the league.

"I guess I achieved that when I left [Australia]," Hayne said, reports ESPN. "That was it, to chase the dream. I did that and everything else was a bonus.”

Hayne is expected to be back with the 49ers for the 2016-2017 NFL regular season after being included in the team’s last game against the St Louis Rams. However, there are concerns that the former Eel may start back from scratch following the sacking of now ex-49ers coach Jim Tomsula. This could mean Hayne has to do wonders again once he returns for the 49ers’ offseason in April.

One of Hayne’s first stop in his return to Australia is to attend a football game between Liverpool FC legends and Socceroos legends. Hayne has expressed interest in playing for the Australian legends in the exhibition match, and remains hopeful to suit up against his childhood idol Steven Gerrard.

“We’ll have to see what happens, but I’m definitely excited to get out to the game,” Hayne said, reports the Daily Telegraph. “I think it is going to be a great game and to have Steven Gerrard in Sydney, one of the all-time greats of world soccer.”

The Liverpool FC legends will consists of Gerrard, Robbie Fowler, Jamie Carragher, Ian Rush, John Arne Riise, Bruce Grobbelaar, and Luis Garcia, while the Socceroos will boast a lineup that includes Brett Emerton, David Zdrilic, Craig Foster, Jason Culina, and Robbie Slater.