Brother’s heartbreaking post after death of NRL rising star Keith Titmuss

The brother of dead Manly rising star Keith Titmuss has posted a beautiful, heartbreaking message to his “best friend.”

Keith Titmuss proudly posted this image of Manly's Holden Cup triumph.

The brother of Manly rising star Keith Titmuss has written a tear-jerking message to his dead best friend in a beautiful, heartbreaking post.

Jesse Titmuss on Tuesday morning wrote a moving, lengthy Facebook post, grieving the tragic loss of the Sea Eagles forward.

His post included a promise to look after the rest of their close-knit family, knowing they will never fill the hole that his death has left in their lives.

Titmuss tragically passed away on Monday, aged 20.

The Sea Eagles revealed Titmuss took ill after a 90-minute training session in Narrabeen on Sydney’s northern beaches, and was transported by ambulance to Northern Beaches Hospital. According to reports, he was conscious when leaving the session in the ambulance.

He was then transferred to Royal North Shore Hospital, where he passed away soon after.

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Figures across the rugby league world were mourning the tragic news with public displays of support and complete dismay.

Jesse Titmuss’ post emerged as the most heartbreaking of them all.

“My rock, my bestfriend, you were always by side through thick and thin. I miss you so much lil bro,” he wrote.

“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.

Jesse Titmuss with brother Keith in 2017. Photo: Facebook.

“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 Titmuss’ message included a promise to his brother to continue to look after their family.

Many Sea Eagles Player Keith Titmuss who died at training today. Picture NRL

“We love you Keithy! You are so heavy on my heart right now and I will forever carry you by my side,” he posted.

“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.”

The post, which included a video of Titmuss’ on-field highlights, was signed off with a heart emoji.

Earlier on Tuesday Tragic details emerged about the death of the Manly Sea Eagles talent.

Titmuss was among the players who returned for the second week of pre-season training on Monday and was reportedly showing no signs of ill-health when the fitness session ended.

He is reported to have started feeling ill as the team finished training with a series of stretches and alerted staff he was experiencing severe cramps and fatigue.

More tragic details emerged on Monday with reports Titmuss collapsed shortly after he began to feel unwell.

“He finished the session fine. They started doing some stretches afterwards and he started complaining of some pretty severe cramps,” 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.”

He said the cause of death is still unknown.

Keith Titmuss of the Manly Sea Eagles. Credit: Twitter/@SeaEagles

“Basically no one knows what the cause of this. 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.”

Manly described Titmuss as “very promising young forward who had come through the Sea Eagles junior representative teams as a teenager”.

He was first signed by the club when he was aged 14 and was a popular figure in his six years coming through the development program.

“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.”