Vale Arthur Beetson

[GCC]

Rugby League legend Arthur Beetson passed away this morning on the Gold Coast.

Inaugural captain of the Queensland State of Origin side and also The first Indigenous player to be named captain of any Australian national sporting team.

Vale Big Artie

http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/quee ... 6211035966

[Wedgie]

RIP Big Artie.
My Dad will be devestated, one of his nicknames is Big Artie because he looks like Arthur Beetson.
Will never forget footage of SoO1 with Big Artie.

[Rik E Boy]

A sad day for me. Big Artie was my first football hero. Growing up in Sydney I was a big Easts fan and Artie was my favourite player. No matter how hard they tried to hit him he could always get that offload away. He was also pretty quick in those days for his size as well. Artie will go down as one of the finest players in League and has the distinction of being the first Indigenous Australian to captain his country in any code.

R.I.P. Big Artie.

regards,

REB

[Dirko]

I'm a massive SOO fan, and from what I've read and seen Beetson was a integral part of the start up. Loved reading about the stories when he finally got a chance to ditch the shitty looking NSW jumper, and pull on the Queensland jumper for the first time, then go out and beat the living shit out of everything in sky blue

RIP Big fella!

[Wedgie]

As described in a email that went around my work today Big Artie also did a lot of work for indigenous community. Since 2005 he'd worked as an Indigenous Ambasasador for the Dept of Human Services attending dozens of community events, expos and forums, talking face to face with the community about government services offered, employment opportunities and promoting a healthy and active lifestyle. He also provided invaluable input about ways service delivery could be improved and tailored to better suit the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Everywhere he went, from the major cities to remote communities, Artie was treated like a rock star. What endeared people to him was his immediate and genuine warmth and the care he showed for all people, whether friends or strangers.

[Goat Herder]

RIP Arthur Beetson.

Larger than life man & personality of the game, particularly with the establishment of the Qld vs NSW SoO passion. The big man with the big heart will be sorely missed.