Jarryd Hayne's First NFL Game Could Have Gone Better (But He's Taking It Pretty Well)

Remember your first day at school?

How desperate you were to not fall over in front of everyone and earn an instant embarrassing reputation?

Jarryd Hayne was swiftly returned to that adolescent anxiety during his first in-season game for the San Francisco 49ers (and fifth American Football match, overall).

The Aussie rugby-player turned NFL recruit has become a favourite for many of the game’s fans; so much so, his jersey was briefly the most popular on the NFL’s online store shortly after he was signed to the 49ers’ 53-man squad.

But, in San Fran’s season-opening match against the Minnesota Vikings, Hayne made an embarrassing fumble… with his first touch of the ball.

Unable to hold onto a punt, he was swiftly dominated by the Vikings and possession was turned over to his opposition.

That’s life in the NFL.

Mercifully for Hayne, Minnesota was unable to translate the turnover into any points for their team.

Later in the match, Hayne was asked to replace injured running back Carlos Hyde. It meant he could end the game having gained 13 yards from four carries, not including the seven yards from another catch.

The 49ers won 20-3.

After the match, Hayne spoke about the fumble to Hamish & Andy.

"Obviously started awful, but, you know, great to kind of bounce back and get a couple carries," he said.

"Things like that kind of relaxes you, you know what I mean? You're like, ****, what worse could happen in the game?"