Jarryd Hayne stunningly broke off his one-year fling with the NFL on Saturday, retiring from the 49ers to represent the Fiji Ruby Sevens in this summer’s Rio Olympics.
Hayne, 28, captivated the NFL’s global audience a year ago when he left Australian rugby-league fame and launched a football career that was an instant hit before regular-season reality struck.
Hayne had participated the past six weeks in the 49ers offseason program under new coach Chip Kelly, who in February applauded Hayne’s attempt at becoming a bona fide return specialist and running back.
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“I am retiring from the NFL because the Fiji Rugby Sevens team reached out to me about the opportunity to join the team for the upcoming Olympics, and I simply could not pass that chance up,” Hayne said in a statement released by the 49ers.