Jarryd Hayne is ditching his NFL dream to chase a Gold medal at the Rio Olympic Games with the Fiji Sevens side.
Hayne, 28, released a statement early Monday morning saying he was switching codes.
“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," he said.
"The Olympics has been something I have admired since I was a little boy, and it is an opportunity I feel very similar to me joining the NFL."
49ers general manager, Trent Baalke, had this to say about Hayne and his time in the organisation.
"Jarryd is a tremendous example of what can happen when you commit to a goal and do everything in your power to make it a reality," he said.
"He earned the right to wear a 49ers uniform and compete alongside the best in the game.
"We fully support Jarryd's decision to pursue another dream - representing the Fiji Rugby Sevens team in this summer's Olympic Games. We look forward to watching him in Rio and wish him continued success."
Hayne has previously represented Fiji at the Rugby League World Cu in 2008, scoring three tries.
Hayne quit the NRL at the end of 2014 and made a remarkable transition into the NFL, cracking the San Francisco 49ers final squad and despite only playing in eight games. Hayne showed glimpses of what Rugby league fans had witnessed during his NRL career with the Parramatta Eels.
Hayne has made no statement on any plans post Rio later this year.
Newshub
