Yahoo Finance 'My rock': Brother's heartbreaking tribute to fallen NRL prodigy
The sudden and shock death of rising Manly Sea Eagles star Keith Titmuss has left family, friends and the rugby league community devastated.
Titmuss, 20, tragically passed away on Monday after a Manly fitness training in the morning.
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The young star fell ill while stretching after the training session at the club’s Narrabeen base and later died at Royal North Shore hospital.
The family of the young star have asked for their privacy to be respected after the heartbreaking news, with Titmuss' brother Jesse sharing an emotional tribute on social media.
Describing Keith as his "rock" and "best friend", Jesse says his brother's tragic death has left a hole in their family's lives.
“My rock, my best friend, you were always by my side through thick and thin. I miss you so much lil bro,” Jesse Titmuss wrote on Facebook.
“Keith passed on doing what he loved, living out his dream and there is no doubt about that. The hardest working individual I knew, with a mindset like no other. That never give up mentality took him to where he was. I was so proud to call Keith my lil bro and if anyone knows me, Keith was all I would talk about.
“Keith, a man of very few words was loved by many and had so many close friends who were all by his side. His friends and family were the most important and influential people in his life and every bit of advice he was given he would take it all in. His character and personality were unique and were the qualities towards such a loving, gentle giant.
“Keith was just upgraded to the Top 30 NRL squad for 2021 and was looking forward to what would have been his breakthrough season. We were just talking about it a couple of days ago about how well prepared he was physically and mentally for pre season. All of us as a family were optimistic that Keith was to make his NRL debut in 2021. Keith’s memories and legacy will live on forever.”
Jesse's heartbreaking tribute was accompanied by a video of some of his brother's rugby league highlights, as well as a promise to look after the family now that he's gone.
“We love you Keithy! You are so heavy on my heart right now and I will forever carry you by my side,” he added.
“I will take care of Mum, Dad and Zara for you bro, we are all hurting so much. Take care lil bro and rest easy.”
Cause of tragic death remains a mystery
New details about Titmuss' tragic passing emerged on Tuesday, however, a cause for his death is still not known.
“He finished the session fine. They started doing some stretches afterwards and he started complaining of some pretty severe cramps,” rugby league reporter Adam Pengilly told Sky Sports Radio.
“And then shortly after he collapsed. They had an ambulance come to Narrabeen quickly after that.
“This is the strange thing for me, after he left Narrabeen he sort of regained consciousness and he was lucid to some extent.
“And unfortunately the situation deteriorated quite rapidly once he got to hospital. And it’s just a tragic, tragic story.
“Basically no one knows what the cause of this is.
“I spoke to a couple of people yesterday and basically Manly were doing a none contact conditioning session yesterday, a fitness session that lasted about 90 minutes to two hours.
“A lot more will come to light in coming days and coming months.”
Titmuss’ death has shocked the NRL, with Manly players called into a meeting on Monday afternoon to be told of the tragic news.
Players at the club have been given counselling to cope with the horrible tragedy, with many of Titmuss’ teammates in shock and in no state to train.
The 20-year-old had been a rising star at the club, having delivered them their maiden Holden Cup title in 2017 with a try on the siren to beat Parramatta.
The play was the last in the 10-year history of the competition, with the footage of him flying over the tryline set to be repeated regularly in coming days.
The front-rower claimed the players’ player award in Jersey Flegg Cup in 2019, and had only just been promoted to their top-30 NRL squad for next season.
“We are all devastated by this news,” Manly coach Des Hasler said.
“Keith was a very popular character amongst the playing group. He will be sorely missed but never forgotten by the Sea Eagles.”
with AAP
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