Former rugby league hero Kyle White has died aged 53

Former Rugby League hardman Kyle White has died aged 53.

The Penrith local died in his sleep on Monday night, his brother has confirmed.

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“It is with a heavy heart that I announce to everyone that my brother Kyle passed away this morning,” his brother Josh posted on Facebook.

“As most people know, he’s been dealing with some issues lately, but that doesn’t make it any easier

“He was my idol growing up and we played at the same NRL clubs and were inseparable in our younger years. Hopefully he’s at peace now and the pain has stopped.

“He was a tough player on the field and knew how to have a good time. We’ve had a lot of ups and downs over the years, but he’s my brother and (I) will always love him.”

White played for Canterbury, the Western Suburbs Magpies and the Illawarra Steelers in the NSWRL and ARL competitions in the late 80’s and 90’s, and for Widnes and Workington Town in England during his 10-year professional career.

He became something of a cult figure for the way he played the game and became known for his big hits.

White played as a halfback-sized front rower and often hit above his weight class.

His personal struggles have been documented in recent years. Just four years ago, his brother Josh called for help when Kyle went missing before he was later found alive on the streets of Warwick, south-east Queensland.

The Widness Vikings paid tribute to White in a released statement.

“He will be remembered as a mobile forward who hit hard in defense and who was a popular figure both on and off the field in Widnes, having served as the town’s licensee of Kelly’s Pub,” the newspaper said Explanation.

“Kyle joined the club in the middle of the 1997 season and was soon appointed captain of the club by manager Graeme West.

“Between May of that year and his last game for the club in August 1998, he played 48 games for the Vikings, scoring 9 tries.

“A former school-level Australia international before joining Widnes, he represented Kyle Canterbury, Wests and Illawarra in the ARL/NRL and Workington Town in the UK.

“After leaving the Vikings he had a brief stint with the Lancashire Lynx.

“The club sends its condolences to his brother Josh – a former half-back for the London Broncos and Salford – and to all of Kyle’s family and friends.”

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