Jarryd Hayne has been determined not to allow emotion derail his NFL ambitions, but for a fleeting moment after seeing the Australian flag in the crowd following his 49ers debut, those emotions came to the surface.
It's been all about "staying in the grind" and "working hard" for the 27-year-old rugby league convert, but as he made his way towards the tunnel at Levi's Stadium on Monday night, the sight of his nation's flag triggered a sense of realisation for what he had just accomplished less than a year after walking out on the NRL.
"It was a bit emotional seeing that flag," Hayne said inside the 49ers' locker room after the 20-3 win against the Minnesota Vikings. 
"It brought back memories. Realising how far I've come, everyone supporting me. That's the biggest thing. Even coming to the game. Listening to a couple of church songs. That emotion getting stirred up, thinking how far I've come and how far my faith has led me.
"It's been a great journey. Everyone back home has been incredible and I'll be forever grateful. I can't say thanks enough."
It might be remembered for "that fumble", but Hayne defied the odds when he walked out on to that field for his maiden NFL appearance after just four pre-season games under his belt.
Most thought he'd never make it. Most of the rest thought it would take some time.
Not even Hayne himself envisaged he would be lacing the boots in   September, but here he was.
While Australia, and the United States for that matter, view him as the man who left rugby league to try his hand at another sport, Hayne no longer sees himself that way.
"I guess it's tough to look back and see how far I've come," Hayne said after the match. "Everything happens so fast over here. Every day I don't go into meetings thinking 12 months ago I was in Australia playing in another league. I'm just in there learning. Doing my best."
Whether Hayne would be included in the 49ers' 46 active players against the Vikings on Monday night was the biggest talking point in the lead up to the match.
But Hayne insists even he wasn't sure if he would be strutting his stuff in front of his family and friends, including Parramatta Eels captain Tim Mannah.
"I didn't really find out. It was kind of, I got a couple of reps a few days ago and that's when it started ticking over that I might get the call up," Hayne said.
"I'd obviously heard whispers and what not but I wanted to make sure that we were on and that was the case when we walked in.
"I'm not too sure [how it works], this is my first time. It was one of those things, when you're training and getting reps you kind of realise if you're active or not, if you're on the cusp of being active. I just prepared the best I could. My first professional game, I found it a bit shaky but it was good to get on there and get a couple of runs."
There were plenty of Australians cheering on the former NSW Origin fullback, including former Test centre Mark Gasnier.
But it's not just his own who have embraced his journey as he has quickly developed a cult following among the US contingency of the 49ers faithful.
"I wouldn't say I'm a part of it yet," Hayne said when he asked if he felt like he was part of the culture at the club. I still have a long way to go. I learnt that tough lesson tonight. For me it's just about getting back into the playbook. We'll obviously do video all week.
"It's a shorter week playing Pittsburgh next week. For me it's about getting back on that grind, working hard and getting ready."
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