Big Artie passes away

[Guest]

Big tributes to him over at The Pride as well. An amazing player who was worth the price of admission alone. Definitely one of the greatest players I have ever seen.

Vale Artie.

[trewhella]

there goes my childhood hero.

Luv u Artie!

[Guest]

One of the reasons I started following the Roosters.

Skills unmatched by any forward ever and a true ambassador to the game.

A kind hearted Mans Man who will be missed but the world is a better place because of his time here on earth.

[Guest]

R.I.P Artie. A true Roosters legend. He was only on MMM on Tuesday giving it to the Roar about the number of draws they have had in their streak. Very sad news.

[chook 56]

One of the reasons I started following the Roosters.

Ditto.
One of the images I will always have is the sight of Artie carrying 4 or 5 players with him as he charged towards the goal line.

[Hawkeye]

Very sad news.
Great player on the field, a real character off it.

The thing that sticks in my mind the most about the 74/75 premierships. Was that Artie was not known as a try scorer and was renound as a playmaker, the one who sets up the tries and makes the others around him look good.
Yet in both the 74 and 75 grand finals, he found his way to the try line, barged his way over (on his own) and scored a crucial try in both games when both games were still in the balance. Showed what an on field leader does.... lead by example.

RIP Artie, a true legend

[bondi-boy]

The first Indigenous person to captain Australia in any sport.

Roosters and Rugby League legend.

Good man, loved by all.


Rest in peace, big fella.

[Geohood]

RIP, very sad news and shocked above all that it happened this early.

[Headless Chook]

Very sad news.
Great player on the field, a real character off it.

The thing that sticks in my mind the most about the 74/75 premierships. Was that Artie was not known as a try scorer and was renound as a playmaker, the one who sets up the tries and makes the others around him look good.
Yet in both the 74 and 75 grand finals, he found his way to the try line, barged his way over (on his own) and scored a crucial try in both games when both games were still in the balance. Showed what an on field leader does.... lead by example.

RIP Artie, a true legend

When people talk about the skills of Artie they talk about his ball playing ability, but if you watch highlights, one of his best attributes was actually his speed off the mark for a big man. There are a number of highlights of him taking off from a standing start and leaving defenders clutching desperately at thin air. A truly great player

[bondi-boy]

Not to mention his step, running at angles, and hard running.

[Guest]

Just saw the news somewhere else.

He was appreciated across the tribal boundaries of our clubs, may he rest in peace.

Big Jack must have finally called him to the big game.

[Big Poppa Pump]

Met him on Billy Gunn's night. Said g'day, got his autograph and shook his hand.

Quite simply the greatest player to ever lace on a boot for us. RIP Arthur.

[melon....]

Ditto.
One of the images I will always have is the sight of Artie carrying 4 or 5 players with him as he charged towards the goal line.

And still managed to pop a miracle pass with 4 hanging off him to a flying Harris or Shooey. i have never seen any player in any era offload like Beetson. he was a ball player's ball player.

[crikey chris]

Writing this with a heavy heart.

The word "legend" gets chucked around these days way too often.
Sadly today, one of the games true legends passed away aged only 66.

Not only a legend in the eastern suburbs club, but a true legend of our sport of rugby league.
Artie broke down cultural barriers, becoming the first Indigenous person to captain a 'mainstream' Australian team.
Was priviliged to meet him in the 90's. Awesome, down to earth, .....just a great guy.

A big man with an even bigger heart.

A truely sad day for our club and the whole rugby league community.


Arthur Henry "Artie" Beetson
R.I.P.

[Walshie's 9th Love Child]

Thanks for the memories, R.I.P. Artie