How did Paul Green die? Rugby legend found dead in garage a day after son's ninth birthday
BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA: Rugby star Paul Green was found dead in his garage on Thursday, August 11, just a day after his son's ninth birthday, and now his loved ones are mourning the loss of the beloved NRL legend.
The 49-year-old former athlete was found unresponsive at his Brisbane residence. The circumstances of his demise were "not suspicious" but a post-mortem will be carried out nonetheless, Queensland police said. Green, who is understood to have ended his own life, is survived by his wife Amanda and children Jed and Emerson.
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Laurence Lancini, former chairman of the North Queensland Cowboys, who hired Green as a coach for the team in 2014, said he was a "broken man" after he heard the news. "I just feel totally devastated, I believe it was his son Jed's birthday yesterday," Lancini told News Corp Australia. Green's aggrieved family gave an emotional testimony on Thursday afternoon, on August 11, describing the rugby great as a "devoted husband, loving father and wonderful brother and son." They continued, "Today we are devastated. We cannot find the words that would come close to expressing our feelings, however, we would like to extend our thanks to those who have reached out with their love and support. Paul was so loved by so many and we know that this news will generate immense interest, however, at this time we ask for privacy. Our family is still trying to understand this tragedy."
Vale Paul Green.
— NRL (@NRL) August 11, 2022
The Rugby League community has lost a legendary player and coach today.
Our deepest condolences to his family, friends, colleagues and the countless fans who loved him. Rest in peace. pic.twitter.com/dUeUc4sPEL
Green's well-wishers gathered at the family home on Thursday afternoon to pay their respects. Former Broncos legend Andrew Gee was also present. The former halfback's demise has thrown the world of rugby into a state of shock. Green, who notably took out one of the sport's highest honors as a player when he won the Rothmans Medal in 1995, also had a stellar coaching career. He quit as the Cowboys' coach in 2020 but remained highly rated in the league and was reportedly set to be an assistant to Wayne Bennett with the expansion Brisbane team Dolphins next year.
We are deeply saddened at the tragic passing of Queenslander and former Bronco, Paul Green.
— Brisbane Broncos (@brisbanebroncos) August 11, 2022
A legend on and off the field gone far too soon ❤️ pic.twitter.com/wTe4pe1bvw
Green garnered the respect of millions in his role as halfback for Cronulla from 1994 to 1998, guiding the team to the 1997 Super League grand final. He then went on to play for the Cowboys, Roosters, and Eels in an illustrious career that spanned nearly a decade and ended in 2004, with an impressive 162 games and 37 tries to his name. Green played seven State of Origin games for Queensland from 1998 to 2001 and two matches for the Australian Super League team in 1997. He began his coaching career with the Cowboys in 2014 and guided the club to their only premiership the following year, scoring a last-minute 17-16 victory over the Brisbane Broncos in extra time. Green later coached Queensland's State of Origin team for one series in 2021, before resigning from that job last September. He was expected to take on a role with the Dolphins next year.
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Green's demise is certainly a shock for the NRL world. He was in Sydney only last weekend to attend the Cronulla ex-players reunion, with whom he played 95 games before moving north to the Cowboys. The decorated former player joined dozens of iconic Sharks stars for a lap of honor around PointsBet Stadium before they faced arch-rivals, St George Illawarra, for Old Boys Day last Saturday night, on August 6. He appeared in good spirits during an interview at the time.
A moment of reflection for an icon of the game. Vale Paul Green. pic.twitter.com/fusFsbVQXs
— NRL (@NRL) August 11, 2022
"It's great to be back," Green told Sharks ground announcer Dane Wheeler. "It's a terrific night, great crowd, and the weather is good for Shark Park, so let's hope the footy is great. I've had plenty of good memories and it's great to catch up with all the old boys today, it's been a ton of laughs and really well done by the club," he added. It's worth noting that Green was also a part of the Sydney Roosters' 2002 premiership-winning squad, before he concluded his playing days at Parramatta and Brisbane, according to the Daily Mail.