Jarryd Hayne reveals he tried to quit the NRL in 2011 as he closes in on rookie contract with Detroit Lions
Date
February 24, 2015 - 12:05 PM
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Michael Chammas
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Jarryd Hayne to reveal why he had to put NFL dream on the back-burner
Former Parramatta Eels star Jarryd Hayne says dropping out of high school cost cost him the chance to become an NFL player three years ago. Autoplay ON OFFVideo feedbackVideo settings
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Jarryd Hayne has revealed he was ready to quit the game three years ago, however his decision to drop out of high school cost him any chance of playing college football in the United States.
In an exclusive interview with Seven News to be broadcast tonight, the 27-year-old admitted that a failure to finish Year 12 kept him in the NRL when he was set to walk away in 2011.
In full flow: Jarryd Hayne trains at Coogee Oval on Friday.
In full flow: Jarryd Hayne trains at Coogee Oval on Friday Photo:. Dallas Kilponen
Hayne, who is this week expected to announce a rookie contract with an NFL club - believed to be Detroit - said he planned to quit the NRL in a bid to secure a NFL contract through America's collegiate system.
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"Originally I wanted to go when I was 24 and the thing that held me back was that I did not finish high school, so I did not have any certificates to go to college," Hayne told Seven News.
"If I had have I would've went through college and went into the draft."
Revealed as Fairfax Media Last year , Hayne HAD Been Undertaking Gridiron Secret Sessions with UTS in His Own time, Long contemplating an Exit Strategy from the Parramatta Eels.
He finally decided to take the leap in October last year, spending two months in California in preparation for the Pro Day on December 5, attracting scouts from a dozen NFL franchises.
He did enough to secure a week-to-week practice contract five days later, but visa restrictions prevented him from accepting it and forced him to return to Australia shortly before Christmas.
But before heading home, Hayne visited the three clubs most interested in his services - Seattle, San Francisco and Detroit.
All three have rookie contracts on the table, and Hayne said he would chose the one that offers most security over the coming year.
"It's a ruthless business the NFL and they can chop and change whenever they want ... from my point of view I'm just trying to get a bit of guaranteed money so we know we are going to be there for at least 12 months , "Hayne told Seven News.
If Hayne secures a contract with Detroit, he will begin training with the Lions in April in preparation for their first preseason match in mid August.
The two-time Dally M medallist says he has no fixed goals, but will not be satisfied with playing one game Asked about returning to rugby league, Hayne said his heart would always be with Parramatta -. Something he demonstrated in 2013 when the Bulldogs tried to steal him.
"I did get an offer (from the Bulldogs)," Hayne told Seven News.
"For me I've been playing against the Bulldogs my whole life, I had been playing against the Bulldogs since I was 14, they always been a rival.
"For me it's obviously about loyalty, I've been at Parramatta my whole life, I would never do that. The only way I would ever do that is if Parramatta did not want me.
