By Adrian Proszenko
Warning: This story contains the name and images of a deceased Indigenous person.
South Sydney have been rocked by the news that premiership-winning forward Kyle Turner has died.
Turner, who came off the interchange bench in the 2014 grand final win, was 31 years old.
Former Rabbitohs grand final winner Kyle Turner has died aged 31.Credit: Getty
The former Indigenous All Stars representative made 91 NRL appearances during a distinguished career between 2014 and 2019. It was a number few thought he would reach after he suffered numerous concussions and also had spinal surgery in his second season in the NRL.
Rabbitohs chief executive Blake Solly said Turner will be remembered fondly by those connected with the club.
“Kyle was an amazing human being,” Solly said. “He epitomised the country boy rugby league player. He was such a tough, uncompromising player on the field, yet a lovely, generous man off the field.
Kyle Turner sets sail for the tryline in the Rabbitohs’ premiership year in 2014.Credit: Getty
“Over his nine years with our club he contributed a lot of time to Souths Cares and was very popular amongst his teammates, colleagues, our members and supporters alike.
“We offer our full support to his family and friends at this very difficult time, and he will always be remembered at our club as a man that delivered a premiership to the Rabbitohs, but also a man that connected deeply with his communities.
“We will hold him close to our hearts for the rest of this season and in the years to come. Vale Kyle Turner.”
Turner underwent a revolutionary procedure to remove a bulging disc through the front of his throat and replace it with an artificial one.
“They went through the front of the neck,” Turner told this masthead in 2015. “They go in through the front, move the oesophagus around, take the disc out and put another one in. It’s amazing how they do it.”
The procedure was a success and allowed him to continue his career. However, he was forced into premature retirement at the age of 28.
“I love football, I really do,” Turner told News Corp in 2020. “And I’d do anything to play again. But I have to do what is right for my family because it is not just about me any more … the fact is, I have been offered jobs back home for better money than I would have got playing footy.”
The Rabbitohs will retire the No. 15 jersey on Sunday, the same number Turner wore in the grand final win.
Several current and former Souths players took to social media to express their shock and sadness at Turner’s passing.
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