Overview

• Sam Backo died in Cairns Hospital following a brief bout with melioidosis that exacerbated an existing heart condition.
• He began his premiership career with the Canberra Raiders in 1983 and played in the 1987 NSWRL grand final before moving to the Brisbane Broncos in 1989.
• Backo won seven State of Origin caps for Queensland and played six Tests for the Australian Kangaroos, contributing to series clean sweeps in 1988 and 1989.
• After retiring in 1990, he devoted himself to Indigenous and South Sea Islander advocacy, attending the 2017 Uluru Constitutional Convention and earning an Australian Sports Medal.
• Even from intensive care, he sent a personal message of condolence to a friend’s family, exemplifying the compassion that defined his legacy.