Twitter reacts to Hayne's departure

Jarryd Hayne in action for the Eels in their Round 23 loss to the Bulldogs at ANZ Stadium.

Author: Jack Brady
Timestamp: Wed 15 Oct 2014, 01:00 PM

With news breaking on Wednesday morning that Eels and New South Wales fullback and Kangaroos representative Jarryd Hayne is set to depart Australia to try his luck in the NFL, Twitter went nuts!

Emotional Hayne explains his decision

It didn't take long for Jarryd Hayne to become the number one trend in Australia when the Parramatta Eels announced he was leaving our shores.

It came in the form of an open letter, addressed to Eels members.

Today, @jarrydhayne_1 wrote to #blueandgold Members announcing his plans to move overseas: http://t.co/UEG3JULck4 pic.twitter.com/v41SpADjQ7
— Parramatta Eels (@TheParraEels) October 14, 2014

His Parramatta teammates were saddened by the news but were nonetheless excited their teammate was off to the USA to pursue a dream...

Takes a lot to chase your dreams. Happy to see a good mate @jarrydhayne_1 follow his heart n chase his dream of playing in NFL #YTB
— Joseph Paulo (@sefapaulo) October 15, 2014

Good luck to @jarrydhayne_1 ,gonna miss him in the blue n gold next year, but we r right behind him. Wish him all the success in the world 👍
— David Gower (@Gowie_) October 15, 2014

Bittersweet feeling. Sad to lose a freak of a team mate in @jarrydhayne_1, but also excited to see one of my best mates chase his dream!
— Tim Mannah (@tim_mannah) October 15, 2014

Former rugby league players had their say on the matter...

13 regular season games, finals, wide receiver or running back, heaps of $ & be first to transition from NRL to NFL, y not? #jarrydhayne
— Steve Turner (@SteveTurner84) October 14, 2014

Jarryd Hayne is a fine young man and i hope he gets to realise his dreams. #onyajarryd
— Chris C Close (@chop59) October 15, 2014

While former Penrith hardman Mark Geyer saw Hayne's brave move from a father's perspective...

They (league stories) don't get any bigger When the games best player leaves sure there's a void but as a dad its great to see dreams chased
— Mark Geyer (@markMGgeyer) October 15, 2014

Expert caller Andrew Voss admired the gamble:

I think the Hayne story is amazing. His goal incredible. If he was to succeed..that would be mind blowing. His odds,100 to 1, probably more.
— Andrew Voss (@AndrewVossy) October 15, 2014

Influential figures in other codes couldn't help but have their say on Hayne's decision...

Huge News on Hayne! Good luck bro!👍 #DreamBig
— Israel Folau (@IzzyFolau) October 14, 2014

Chase those dreams my bro @jarrydhayne_1 👏👏✊✊
— Sonny Bill Williams (@SonnyBWilliams) October 15, 2014

Well its official official my man @jarrydhayne_1 chat soon and always proud of u brother. Lets do this hahahaha #MadefortheNFL
— Tim Cahill (@Tim_Cahill) October 15, 2014

While Hayne's co-Brad Fittler medallist for being New South Wales's best in Origin this season also congratulated him.

Wow!! Plenty of people are going to have their opinion but good on @jarrydhayne_1 for backing himself and having a go. All the best mate
— Ryan Hoffman (@RyanHoffman12) October 14, 2014

NRL fans were sending their well wishes...

Exciting stuff from Jarryd Hayne! Always wanted to see how an NRL player does in the NFL #whatabloke
— William Presland (@WillPresland) October 15, 2014

Not a big fan of him, but good luck to @NRL's Jarryd Hayne in pursuit of NFL career. Tough road ahead but awesome opportunity!
— Mick Goodwin (@MickGoods) October 15, 2014

And others reckon Hayne Plane will have what it takes to make it in the NFL.

I am actually really excited to see how Hayne goes playing NFL. It's a really brave move.
— Lauren Maree (@laurenmareesays) October 15, 2014

Hayne has all the attributes needed for NFL. Great hands, immense power, instincts. Keen to see how he goes. #bigchallenge #goodluck #nfl
— Tony Howell (@tonyalexhowell) October 15, 2014

Ultimately, we know Hayne leaves our great game backing himself 100 per cent to succeed overseas...