Arthur Beetson has passed away

<big>**Rugby league Immortal Arthur Beetson dies of heart attack aged 66**</big>
FOX SPORTS December 01, 2011 11:11AM

Immortal … Rugby league mourns the loss of Arthur Beetson. Source: Mark Evans / News Limited
Queensland and Australia rugby league legend Arthur Beetson has died of a heart attack aged 66.

The rugby league Immortal suffered a heart attack while cycling on Thursday morning, police confirmed.

Beetson represented Queensland and Australia at prop from 1964 to 1981 and was the first Indigenous person to captain Australia in any sport.

http://www.foxsports.com.au/league/rugby-league-immortal-arthur-beetson-dies-of-heart-attack-aged-66-leave-your-tribute-here/story-e6frf3ou-1226211080497
 
<big>Artie Beetson dead</big>
December 1, 2011 - 10:24AM
>
Rugby league legend Arthur Beetson has died today.
>
Rugby league great Arthur Beetson has died this morning at the age of 66 after suffering a heart attack.
>
A Queensland Ambulance Service spokeswoman said officers were called to a home at Paradise Point on the Gold Coast where a man had suffered a heart attack and fallen from a bicycle shortly before 9am.
>
Paramedics performed CPR but he was unable to be resuscitated and was transported to Gold Coast Hospital.
Advertisement: Story continues below
>
Queensland Premier Anna Bligh told State Parliament about the death just after 10am and offered her sympathies.
>
“This morning Queensland has lost one of its legends and one of its favourite sons,” she said.
>
“He loved his league, he loved his Queensland and his loss will be felt by many.”
>
Beetson was one of only seven rugby league Immortals, along with Clive Churchill, Bob Fulton, Reg Gasnier, Johnny Raper, Graeme Langlands and Wally Lewis.
>
He captained Queensland in the first State of Origin match in 1980 at the age of 35.
>
Beetson was instrumental to the Maroons' early success, and that of the State of Origin concept.
>
He famously clobbered then-Parramatta teammate and Blues opponent Mick Cronin in the inaugural game, supposedly proving that representing Queensland meant more to him than club loyalties.
>
Currentl Queensland Origin coach and former Beetson teammate Mal Meninga was rocked by the news this morning.
>
"I hold him dear to my heart, especially in my early years, he was very influential for my growth as a man," Meninga said.
>
"He was one of the people I admire greatly not only for his footy, what he did on the park, but what he did as a human being for his people and for business people as well.
>
"It’s a tragedy."
>
Meninga first met Beetson in the lead up to that first Origin game in 1980.
>
"He was part of the Origin start-up, he was instrumental in all that obviously.
>
"Came back home, captained Queensland in the very first Origin game.
>
"But my thoughts revolve around his thoughts on me as a person.
>
"And he was instrumental in making me proud of my heritage and that sort of thing.
>
"It is real shock.”

http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/rugby-league/artie-beetson-dead-20111201-1o7vz.html
\
\
RIP, not just to one of the greats of our game, but one of the greats in Australian sport in general.
 
The greatest forward in the history of the game and much loved by generations of Tigers fans. Very sad news, but will be remembered for his leadership and genius.

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/rugby-league-great-arthur-beetson-dead-after-suffering-heart-attack-while-exercising/story-e6frexnr-1226211083941
 
Had a heart attack whilst riding his bike,he was trying to lose weight,RIP big fella.
 
x2 Marshall Magic. I havnt been fortunate to ever see him play as his playing days were before my time, but I know what he meant to ARL and QRL communties respectively and he will be sorely missed.

RIP Arthur Beetson.
\
\
Posted using RoarFEED
 
Saw a lot of Big Artie playing for Balmain,Easts and Parramatta. He was a champion and would be one of the first players picked for a all time best 13\. He never wanted to leave the Tigers, but the move to the chooks was probably a good move for him. Very Sad Day
 
That is sad news. A lot of people forget Artie's time at Balmain but he was a major factor in the 69 GF charge. It's strange how these things happen but I was at a trivia night last night and we were discussing Artie.
 

Latest posts

Back
Top