Hayne posts heartbreaking tribute to Eels fan who died after cancer battle
FORMER NRL star and San Francisco 49ers player Jarryd Hayne has paid tribute to a young Parramatta Eels fan who died this week after battling cancer.
Eight-year-old, “Tough Timmy” Jelacic, was diagnosed with Epenymoma Cancer when he was just two-years-old and spent much of his young life in and out of hospital for surgery and radiation as tumours continued to grow in his brain.
Timothy shared a birthday with Hayne and Eels veteran Tim Mannah, and was a huge Parramatta fan.
Last year, the club, along with the Mannah Foundation, supported “Tough Timmy’s Bucket List” dream of visiting Disneyland.
“Rest in peace legend,” Hayne wrote in a post to Facebook and Instagram overnight.
“Parra’s #1 fan @tufftimmy8 battled through the hard times with a smile.
“As his body lay to rest n spirit makes it way to heaven I want to send my love and prayers to the Jelacic family.
“Was a blessing to do what we could for the little man n to help with his bucketlist along with @tim_cahill @chriscahill_ @tim_mannah @theparraeels.
“Love n prays [sic] from America.”
