Jarryd Hayne Signs Under Armour Sponsorship Deal: Latest Comments, Reaction

San Francisco 49ers running back Jarryd Hayne was so impressive during the preseason that he signed his first major sponsorship deal in the United States before even suiting up for a regular-season game. 

Michael Chammas of the Sydney Morning Herald noted Hayne signed a deal with Under Armour—joining the likes of golfer Jordan Spieth and defending NBA MVP Stephen Curry—while the company welcomed him to the team:       

Hayne is a former two-time Player of the Year in Australia’s National Rugby League, but he first turned heads at the NFL level during the preseason. He led the 49ers in rushing yards in three of their four preseason contests and put an exclamation mark on the stretch with 118 all-purpose yards against the San Diego Chargers in the final tune-up before the games count.

It was enough to clinch a spot on the team when the 49ers trimmed the roster to 53 players.

Hayne impressed returning punts and slashing through defenses from the backfield. The vision, strength, speed and power he developed in rugby were clear when he maneuvered downfield against NFL athletes, and his willingness to run through defenders rather than out of bounds on punt returns endeared him to San Francisco fans.

Hayne is not going to start at running back for the 49ers in their Monday night opener against the Minnesota Vikings, but it is impossible to ignore his crossover appeal and marketability as a former rugby star in Australia.

Under Armour responded accordingly.