Footy legend fights for life in hospital after massive heart attack as former teammates rallied around the Maroons: ‘He’s a tough guy and always had a big heart’
- Sam Backo is in critical condition
- Raiders Great had a heart attack
- Maroon’s teammates gather around
NRL legend Sam Backo is fighting for his life in a hospital in Cairns after suffering a massive heart attack on Saturday.
The 62-year-old Raiders Great, who is one of the best native forwards the game has ever seen, is in critical condition and being monitored by doctors in the aftermath of the tragic medical episode.
Backo, who made 115 appearances for Canberra, as well as stints with the Broncos and in the UK, also represented Queensland and Australia in an outstanding career at prop.
His former Maroons teammate Colin Scott said he was stunned when he heard about his good friend.
“His wife called me and said he’s in bad shape. He’s a tough guy and has always had a big heart, so hopefully he’ll get through it, but it’s a real shock,” he said. Wide world of sports.
Sam Backo is fighting for his life in hospital after suffering a heart attack. The footy legend was the first Aussie striker to score a try in all three Tests of an Ashes series in 1988
Backo (center) celebrates with Maroons teammates Peter Jackson (right) and Martin Bella (left) after an Origin win
Backo, known as ‘Slammin Sam’, is one of the best native forwards of all time and plays his club football mainly for the Raiders, who released a statement about their ex-player on Sunday
In the wake of Backo’s heart attack, the Raiders issued a statement on behalf of the family.
“Christabel, Sam’s wife and extended family appreciate the support and prayers received for Sam,” the statement read.
“Sam had a heart attack yesterday morning and is in critical condition at this stage.
“The family has asked that their privacy be respected at this time.”
Backo, was included in the Indigenous Australian team of the century following his top-flight career, which lasted 10 years, before being forced into early retirement due to a knee injury.
He was the first Aussie forward to score tries in all three Tests of an Ashes series when he had a brilliant 1988 tour, and won consecutive Man of the Match awards in the same year as he led the Maroons to an Origin victory led.
A host of Queensland greats, including Darryl Brohman and Steve Renouf, have gathered around the popular prop as he recovers from the scary incident at the hospital.
Queensland cult hero Darryl Brohman urged his former teammate to keep fighting
Fellow Maroons legend Steve Renouf joined his ex-teammate in praying for Backo
Legendary commentator Peter Psaltis also sent his wishes to Backo as he fights for his life in the hospital
Rugby league immortal Wally Lewis, a former teammate of the man known as ‘Slammin Sam’, said he was ‘unstoppable’ up front, adding that he and other Maroons teammates desperately hoped that Backo would make it.
“He was such a dominant prop. When he came, Sam just destroyed everyone in front of him. Sam was the size of a cement truck and he made the best of it,” he said News Corp on Sunday.
“That period of dominance for Sam, in the late 1980s, probably gave Queensland size dominance for the first time…he was unstoppable.
“He certainly got a lot of love and support from the native community. He was a very proud representative of that community…(and) he was as big as a house.”
Wally Lewis said Backo (pictured at a state funeral for his mother, Aboriginal rights activist Dr Evelyn Scott) was a role model to many in the Indigenous community
Another Queensland legend, Trevor Gillmeister, paid tribute to his “funny” ex-teammate as he prayed for Backo’s recovery.
“I love Sam, he’s a champion. I stayed with Sam for Origin when ‘Fatty’ (Paul Vautin) retired and it was one of the funniest weeks of my life,” he said.
“Sam doesn’t take life too seriously and always has a smile on his face.”