Jason Saab breaks down over Keith Titmuss message that was never answered

An NRL young gun has shared his raw devastation, breaking down after a pre-season training tragedy took the life of his best mate last week.

The death of Manly Sea Eagles rookie Keith Titmuss rocked the NRL last week but few felt it as deep as Jason Saab.

Titmuss passed away a week ago aged 20 after falling ill after a 90-minute training session at Narrabeen.

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He was taken to hospital and passed away soon after at Royal North Shore Hospital.

It led to a massive outpouring of grief from the NRL community but was particularly heartbreaking for Saab.

Saab was best mates with Titmuss and was an early release from the Dragons to join the Sea Eagles to play alongside his friend.

Saab’s move to the Sea Eagles was confirmed on Friday by signing a three-year deal, with more heartbreaking details of their friendship revealed over the weekend.

Channel 9’s Danny Weidler wrote in his Sun Herald column that Saab had been criticised online for seeking a release because of the drive from Greystanes, near Parramatta in Sydney’s west to Wollongong, when he was targeting a move to Manly on the northern beaches.

“But Saab had lined up a travel buddy to share the journey to the northern beaches: close mate Keith Titmuss,” Weidler wrote.

Saab sits in Keith Titmuss' spot.

A St George Illawarra Dragons rookie, Saab played seven games in red and white, with just four in 2020 with his last appearance in a loss to Cronulla.

But speaking on Nine News, Saab broke down after remembering the horrible moment he heard Titmuss had passed away.

“I just broke down. I couldn’t believe it, I was in so much denial and shock,” Saab said.

“It rocked me.

“To have that feeling again … playing footy, training with your best mate … we always spoke about it.

“I messaged him that day. I said to him ‘bro I’m going to be there next week’,” Saab said as he broke down. “He never messaged back.

“I asked him how training was. That was probably the training that took his life.”

Jason Saab breaks down talking about Keith Titmuss.

Having spoken about how they would play NRL alongside each other at Manly, Saab dedicated his Manly career to his friend.

Titmuss was made an honorary first grader after his death, getting player number 623, with Saab looking to be 624.

“I’ve got a reason to be there, every morning I get to walk by Keith with his Hall of Fame club legend poster on the way to the sheds,” Saab said.

“It feels right, it almost feels like it’s scripted that I be there and play first grade, by God’s will, play Round 1 and be the next Sea Eagles number right next to him.”

Manly recruit Jason Saab feels the pain of losing Keith Titmuss more than most, he joined Manly hoping to play with his best mate, before the young forward sadly passed away after a training session last week. @Danny_Weidler #9News pic.twitter.com/43gqKQT9n3

— 9News Sydney (@9NewsSyd) November 30, 2020