Shannon Kearns tribute for rugby league legend, popular dad

A Sunshine Coast rugby league star and proud father is being remembered for his ‘on-field talent and off-field persona’ after his sudden death. Read the emotional tribute.

Jane and Shannon Kearns. Picture: Facebook

The Sunshine Coast rugby league community has paid tribute to Kawana Dolphins Hall of Famer, Shannon ‘Chopper’ Kearns following his sudden death.

Mr Kearns, who died on January 28 at the age of 44, had been involved in rugby league on the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast for more than 25 years and was inducted into the Kawana Dolphins hall of fame in 2013.

Born in Sydney, Kearns moved to the Sunshine Coast in 1980 and was father to three children Monet 18, Jhyah 16 and Lucah 11, with his ex-wife Bree Read.

He was the brother to Heidi, Jane, Leigh and Tyrone, working as a painter and decorator and was a proud South Sydney Rabbitohs supporter.

The Kearns family at Suncorp Stadium to watch their beloved South Sydney Rabbitohs.

His sister Jane said he passed suddenly and unexpectedly in his sleep with the cause of death still to be determined.

“He was just so charismatic, everybody loved him and his laid back nature and he didn’t have a bad bone in his body,” she said.

“He was so creative, loved his surfing, his drawings and his artwork and was a really talented musician.

“He was also so funny, most of the time with stupid harmless jokes but he had an infectious smile and everyone knew him for the bounce he had in his walk.”

Shannon Kearns (right) with his siblings.

As a kid, the Kearns family moved to the Gold Coast for a few years where Shannon played for the Southport Tigers and the Runaway Bay Seagulls.

They returned to the Sunshine Coast in 1991 where he attended Kawana State High School and represented the Dolphins from under 13s to A-grade, winning multiple premierships.

“I’ve known ‘Chop’ since under-16s and had the pleasure of sharing the field with him for over 10 years,” former teammate Kyle Brownlie said.

“He never had much weight on him, he just got taller, but goddamn what a player.

“He had a heart of a lion when it came to defence, never shrugging away from taking the line on, even taking up the first hit of the set which was my job.”

Hall of Fame inductees Shannon Kearns, left, Kyle Brownlie, Troy Brose, James Ward, Jason Rixon and Tony Smyth at the Kawana Dolphins Rugby League Club's 20-year celebration in 2013. Picture: Erle Levey.

“He earnt his Dolphin moniker ‘Chopper’, by keeping those tackles hard and low, dropping anyone on the spot.”

Mr Brownlie said his old mate renowned around the region.

“Everyone on the Coast knew of Chop and his football talent; a talent he showcased in numerous A-grade representative sides,” he said.

“Not only was he a teammate, but a great mate off the field. He is one of a kind which made him a stand out to all his peers.

“I’ll be talking about you for many years to come, mate. I’ll think of you casually wandering into the dressing shed – late for the pre-game warm up – wearing your singlet, footy shorts, double pluggers and an infectious smile.”

Ashley Robinson said he remembered Shannon as “pound for pound the toughest player” he had seen on the Coast and recalled a conversation with Billy Moore where Billy said that he was the only player he could see on the Coast that was NRL material.

The Kearns family thanked everyone for their messages of support.

Originally published as Shannon Kearns tribute for rugby league legend, popular dad