Jarryd Hayne’s heartbreaking tribute to young Parramatta fan who died after cancer battle

Rest in peace legend. 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 @nicolejelacic you and your husbands strength for your little man is courageous. 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 from America

Former NRL star and San Francisco 49ers running back Jarryd Hayne has paid tribute to “Tough Timmy” Jelacic, a young Parramatta Eels fan who died this week after battling cancer.

The eight-year-old 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