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Kyle Turner, a former rugby league player who won the NRL premiership with the South Sydney Rabbitohs in 2014, died suddenly on August 18, 2023, at the age of 31. His death shocked and saddened the rugby league community, as well as his family and friends. Turner was a versatile and courageous player who overcame multiple injuries and concussions throughout his career.

He was also a proud Kamilaroi man who represented the Indigenous All Stars and Country NSW. This article will explore his life, career, achievements, net worth, cause of death, and the reactions from his peers and fans.

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Early Life and Career

This young athlete took birth on February 20. He took birth in 1992 in Sydney, New South Wales, to Indigenous Australian parents Leanne and Colin. Kyle Turner was of Indigenous Australian descent and belonged to the Kamilaroi nation. He had a brother named Nathan Turner and a sister Jessica Turner. He grew up in Coonabarabran, a small town in northern NSW, where he played for the local club, the Coonabarabran Unicorns.

He was a talented junior player who represented the New South Wales Indigenous Under-16s in 2008. Turner was spotted by South Sydney Rabbitohs recruitment manager Mark Hughes at a NSW Combined High Schools carnival, where he and his parents were wearing Rabbitohs gear.

He was signed to the Rabbitohs from the Unicorns in 2011 and made an immediate impact, winning the club’s under-20s Player of the Year award.

He made his NRL debut for the Rabbitohs in round three of the 2014 season against the Wests Tigers, playing off the bench in a 16-25 loss at ANZ Stadium. He scored his first NRL try in round six against the Penrith Panthers in an 18-2 win at Penrith Stadium.

Quick Wiki / Trivia

Premiership Glory and Injury Struggles

Turner had a remarkable rookie season in 2014, playing 24 games and scoring six tries for the Rabbitohs. He was part of the team that broke the club’s 43-year premiership drought, playing a key role off the bench in the grand final victory over the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs. He also won the World Club Challenge and Auckland Nines titles with the Rabbitohs that year.

However, Turner’s debut year was also marred by controversy, as he suffered six concussions in just 12 months, raising questions about his welfare and safety. He bravely backed up to play in the grand final despite being knocked out in the preliminary final against the Sydney Roosters.

Turner’s injury woes continued in 2015 when he fractured his neck in a tackle by Paul Gallen while playing for the Indigenous All-Stars against the NRL All-Stars. He underwent disc replacement surgery and faced a long period of rehabilitation. Many doubted that he would ever play again, but he defied the odds and made a comeback in round 21 of that season. However, he was concussed again in another heavy tackle and taken off the field for the rest of the game.

Turner showed his courage and resilience by continuing to play for the Rabbitohs until 2019, despite being sidelined for several games due to various injuries. He also represented the Indigenous All Stars twice more in 2015 and 2017, as well as Country Origin once in 2017. He was a fan favorite at Redfern, receiving the Burrow Supporters Group Appreciation Award in 2016.

Later Years and Death

In 2019, Turner fell out of favor under the Rabbitohs’ new coach Wayne Bennett, who told him to look elsewhere for opportunities from 2020. He returned to his hometown of Coonabarabran, where he played for the Unicorns and became a schoolteacher. He also coached junior rugby league teams and mentored young Indigenous players.

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Turner died suddenly at his home on August 18, 2023, at the age of 31. His cause of death has not been officially confirmed, but it is suspected that he took his own life after a long battle with depression and mental anxiety. His family and friends are devastated by his loss and have requested privacy during this difficult time.

Net Worth

According to All Famous Birthdays, Kyle Turner’s net worth was $5 million at the time of his death. He earned most of his income from his rugby league career with the Rabbitohs, as well as from endorsements and sponsorships. He also had investments in property and business ventures.

Reactions

The rugby league world has been rocked by Turner’s death and has paid tribute to him on social media and other platforms. Some of his former teammates, coaches, opponents, and fans have expressed their shock, grief, and condolences.

Adam Reynolds, who won the premiership with Turner in 2014 and is now the captain of the Brisbane Broncos, shared a photo on Instagram showing a number of teammates from the 2014 team, including Luke Keary, Dave Tyrrell, Chris McQueen, and Kirisome Auva’a. Turner was front and centre of the photo, with Reynolds adding a broken heart emoji to the post.

Nicho Hynes, the Dally M Medallist and Melbourne Storm star, also posted a tribute on Instagram, calling it “very sad news” and urging his followers to “check in on your friends” before offering his condolences to the Turner family.

George Burgess, who also won the 2014 premiership with Turner, told his Twitter followers he was “speechless” at the news and asked, “how do we save each others lives? Or can we even?” He added that it “hurts my heart so much”.

The Rabbitohs released a statement confirming Turner’s death and offering their full support to his family and friends. Rabbitohs CEO Blake Solly said Turner was “an amazing human being” who epitomised the country boy rugby league player. He said Turner would always be remembered at the club as a man who delivered a premiership to the Rabbitohs and connected deeply with his communities. He said the club would hold him close to their hearts for the rest of the season and in the years to come.

The NRL also issued a statement expressing their sadness and sympathy for Turner’s passing. NRL CEO Andrew Abdo said Turner was a “talented and popular player” who achieved great success on and off the field. He said Turner was a role model for young Indigenous players and a valued member of the rugby league family. He said the NRL would provide support and counseling to anyone affected by his death.

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