Queensland Maroons legend Sam Backo has tragically passed away at the age of 64.
The footy great, who has been lauded as one of rugby league’s toughest-ever players, died on Sunday afternoon surrounded by family and friends in Cairns.
Backo enjoyed a glittering career at the top of the game during the 80s, most notably playing for the Canberra Raiders, Leeds Rhinos and the Brisbane Broncos. He has also been hailed for his work away from the footy pitch, advancing the rights of Indigineous communities around Australia.
He was named as one of the greatest Aboriginal players of the 20th century and notably became the first Australian forward to score tries in all three Tests of the 1988 Ashes series.
During his international career, the former prop forward also won six caps for the Kangaroos and represented Queensland on seven occasions, helping lift the Maroons to victories during the 1988 and 1989 series.
Also known as ‘Slammin Sam’ Backo, the former Queensland star had been diagnosed with melioidosis in April and had spent some time in an intensive care unit in Cairns Hospital.
Backo, who also had a heart condition, had been transferred to a hospital in Brisbane to have a pacemaker inserted in July. He had recently returned to Cairns.
Reports from some outlets claimed that Backo believed he had caught the illness following a swim in a Freshwater Creek at Goomboora Park in Cairns.
Queensland Maroons legend Sam Backo has tragically passed away at the age of 64
Backo (pictured, middle) was a cult hero for Queensland at Origin level and was also named in the Indigenous Australian team of the century
Melioidosis is an infectious disease that is caused by bacteria lurking in soil or dirty water. The illness is treated with antibiotics and symptoms can include fevers, headaches or trouble breathing. The illness has killed 35 people in Queensland so far this year.
He will be remembered for both his brilliance on the footy pitch as well as his humility, generosity and humour.
In a statement released to ABC News, his sisters, Dolores, Charmaene, Kathrine and Jewel, said: ‘He was of course all those things, but he was also a strong fighter for his people, the Warrgamay people and the South Sea Islander community, descended from Ni-Vanuatu and Solomon Islander people kidnapped as slave labour for the Queensland and NSW sugar industry.
‘He was a man with a huge generosity of spirit and was always thinking of others.
‘Even as he lay in the Cairns Hospital’s intensive care unit, he made sure he sent a message of condolence to the family of a friend who had just passed.
‘Just one example of the measure of the man.’
In 2023, Backo was admitted to hospital in a critical condition after he suffered a heart attack.
At the time, NRL great Wally Lewis had sent his well wishes to the footy great, describing him as a true competitor on the field.
‘He was such a dominant prop. When he came on, Sam just destroyed everyone that was in front of him. Sam was the size of a cement truck and he made the most of it,’ he told The Daily Telegraph.
Backo (pictured with his wife Christabel) believes he was infected following a swim in Freshwater Creek at Goomboora Park in Cairns – and he has been in hospital since April
‘That dominating period for Sam, in the late 1980s, probably gave Queensland dominance in size for the first time.
‘To have him in control up front, it gave blokes like me, Alf (Allan Langer) and Mal (Meninga) the time and space. He was unstoppable.
‘With some of the great back lines we had, I used to give Sam a bit of a spray: ‘Sam, we want time, we want some space … get it for us.’ And he did it.
‘Sam also had the voice that everyone tried to mimic. He certainly drew plenty of love and support from the Indigenous community. He was a very proud representative of that community.
‘He was the size of a house.’
Backo began his professional career in 1980 playing for Fortitude Valley in Brisbane.
He’d then move to play for the Canberra Raiders, making his premiership debut in 1983 before going on to represent the club 115 times during a five-year stay at the club.
The prop forward later moved to Europe and took up a contract playing for Super League side, Leeds. He’d spend a year at the Yorkshire-based outfit making 18 appearances before returning back to Queensland.
Backo played for Leeds Rhinos for a year in 1988. He’d make 15 appearances for the British footy club, and was hailed as a ‘fan favourite’
In 2000, Backo was awarded the Australian Sports Medal, for his services in advancing the status of rugby league in the country
Leeds took to social media on Sunday to send their condolences to Backo’s family and friends.
‘Deeply sad news overnight in Australia that 80’s fans favourite ‘Slammin’ Sam Backo has passed away aged 64,’ the club wrote on X.
‘Sam played seven State of Origin games for Queensland and six Tests for Australia and won the Yorkshire Cup with Leeds in 1988.
‘Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this time, rest in peace Sam Backo.’
Following a stint in the UK the prop forward returned to Australia to play for the Brisbane Broncos for a season before hanging up his boots.
He was also known as a strong advocate for indigenous communities, notably accepting a job following his playing career working with indigenous prisoners as part of Queensland’s Corrective Services Commission.
In 2000, Backo was also awarded the Australian Sports Medal, for his services in advancing the status of rugby league in the country.
Fans took to social media to also remember the hugely talented rugby league star.
‘Sad to hear that Slammin’ Sam Backo has died today. He was a tough player and scored against GB quite a few times. A State of Origin star. Taken too early,’ one wrote.
‘Vale Sam Backo: One Queenslander who gave his heart and soul for the state. RIP legend,’ another added.
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