http://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl...-part-of-the-job/story-e6frf3tc-1227032368120
And he gets that.
“You look up arrogant in the dictionary,’’ he challenges us.
“The meaning of the word. You’ll see it’s when somebody shows little or no concern for someone else. And on a footy field ... yeah, that’s me.”
Here, finally, is the wisdom behind the wing span of the Parra*matta Hayne plane.
A confession revealing how *Jarryd Lee Hayne, the man Andrew Johns calls the most gifted league player who ever lived, is not only coming to realise this beautiful truth — but make it work for him.
So you find him a tad, err, showy. Too bad.
No longer is Hayne that same mercurial kid who spoke candidly in a chat we had six years ago about “my bad attitudes”. Who even three years back was dumped from the NSW Origin side for, allegedly, being all ego.
No, now — as he moves, arms outstretched, towards a second Dally M gong — Hayne is Muhammad Ali rhyming.
Or Usain Bolt busting another “lightning” pose.
Even West Indian cricketer Viv Richards not so much walking to the crease as swaggering in time with the beat of his chewing gum.
It’s an attitude that doesn’t always win everyone over.
Just ask Gold Coast enforcer Nate Myles, who has played five years of Test footy alongside Hayne.
He was the man who growled the “f ... ing arrogant prick” line in round 20.
“The fact people mightn’t get me,” Hayne shrugs, “I’m OK with that. I know some people out there have negative perceptions of who I am. But when my job is to win football games, there are times when I’ll seem arrogant.”
And then, after a short pause, Hayne adds: “Anyway, what do you think?”
Um, we think when professional athletes are engaged in sport, arrogance and confidence are interchangeable. The same beast, but with different names ... depending on whether said superstar is scoring points for or against your team.
“Well, there you go then,’’ Hayne says with a laugh.
“I’m a confident person and sometimes people mightn’t like that. But I’m not out there to change people’s opinions of me ... my job is to win.”
And still, Hayne does so much more than simply win.
Sure, on field, he now behaves like every athlete at the top of their game. But away from the bright lights, this Eels fullback remains a warm, even humble character.
Changing lives with so many actions he doesn’t want written here.
Far from Muhammad Ali shouting “I am the greatest”, Hayne insists it is Johnathan Thurston who is league’s No.1.
And as for that recent Rugby League Week poll giving him the crown as the game’s best player?
“Humbling,’’ he says. “But they only asked 100 guys. There are a lot more than that playing NRL.”
Here, truly, is a footballer matured by captaincy. And Christianity, which — no matter your take — is providing him with a greater sense of purpose and respect.
Hayne, too, has grown up. Found balance.
Still only 26, but with 20 Origins and almost 200 games, he now understands not only his talent, but the responsibility of replacing, in every sense, retired Eels captain and *legend Nathan Hindmarsh.
“I know I’m not the kid anymore,’’ Hayne agrees. “Since day one, I’ve always been the youngster in this team and I enjoyed that because it meant having fun.
“I never wanted to be the old head. But when I first knew Hindy was leaving, I started preparing for the change. Now I know it’s me who sets the tone.”
So a better player than that famed 2009 model?
“Five years on, you’d hope so,’’ Hayne laughs. “In ’09, I was creative.
“But now with the players I have around me, I get to finish, too. Do the fun stuff. So if I have to create, I can. If I have to finish, I can do that, too.
“Really, it’s all about balance.”
