Rugby league legend Paul Langmack has passed away, aged 61.
According to Code Sports, Langmack suffered a heart attack on Thursday morning before being rushed to hospital. However, he could not be revived.
It is understood he was at the Breakfast Point Country Club gym when the incident occurred and was reportedly in a sauna.
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Langmack was a key figure in Canterbury’s ‘Dogs of War’ era, winning three premierships in 1984, 1985 and 1988 across his 174 games for the club.
He also featured 137 times for Western Suburbs, as well as making four appearances for NSW in the Origin arena, while also being included in the Kangaroos’ 1986 UK tour.
During his time at the Magpies, he built up a strong rapport with fellow league icon, the late Tommy Raudonikis.
Post-football, Langmack coached the Rabbitohs across 35 games in 2003 and 2004 and after appearances on The Footy Show, Langmack became affectionately known as ‘Yesterday’s Hero’.
He also worked with the NSWRL’s mental health programs, assisting current and former players with their mental health. Langmack fought through mental health battles himself and also against cancer.
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The Bulldogs released a statement on Thursday morning which read: “It is with deep sadness that the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs advise of the sudden passing of club legend Paul Langmack.
“A club great and a catalyst for success throughout the 1980s era, Langmack joined the Bulldogs in 1983 and quickly established himself as a tough and uncompromising presence in the forward pack.
“Remembered as a vivacious character, Langmack’s presence lit up every room he walked into, whether a change room before a big match, or an auditorium for a club event.”
Tributes also flowed in for the much-loved figure, with Dogs supremo Phil Gould paying tribute to the “true Bulldog” in a post on X.
“Completely devastated to learn of Paul’s sudden passing this morning,” he wrote.
“It’s such a huge loss. Paul would contact me every day of the week about something to do with rugby league.
“I’m going to miss those calls and messages. I first met Paul when he was playing schoolboy football and I was invited to coach one of his teams. He later became a team mate as we played together at the Bulldogs in the early to mid 80s. In the end he took my position in the team. He was a much better player than me.
“I later had the pleasure to coach Paul at the Bulldogs. He was a huge part of our Premiership success in 1988.
“I coached him again at the Roosters at the end of his playing career. Since that time he’s become a great mate, as he has been to so many people he associated with in rugby league over the years.
“I’m particularly devastated for his sister Diane who has been my personal assistant for the past 15 years. Diane called me early this morning with the terrible news. I love Diane so much and I’m devastated for her loss.
“Paul worked with the NSWRL for many years supporting the game. In recent times he volunteered his time to so many Bulldogs community initiatives.
“He was a larger than life character. So funny. Paul was energetic, bubbly and enthusiastic. He loved his rugby league. He was so loyal to his many teammates and ex coaches over the years. He loved them all.
“Paul also started many mental health support programs to help young kids, plus both current and former players.
“He would organise us all to visit schools to speak to kids and offer support to them and their families.
“Paul was always thinking of other people. This is a significant loss to so many. A true Bulldog. Thoughts are with his family and friends.”
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Elsewhere, former teammate Darryl Brohman spoke on 2GB after the tragic news broke.
“Apparently he was in a sauna and just dropped dead. It was just terrible news,” he said on 2GB.
“I mean, he was a wonderful player. I only played two years with him at the Bulldogs, and he was significantly younger than me.
“And mate, he was just so talented. From a football perspective, he probably didn’t get the accolades that he deserved. He had a very smart football brain, and he should have probably played for Australia.
“He used to tell a lot of great stories about Tommy Raudonikis as the coach (at Wests). And mate, he just loved life. He just loved it.
“You know, he had a couple of issues off the field, but who hasn’t? We’ve all had issues off the field.
“He was just an outstanding footballer, a great friend and very loyal. And he was a great Bulldog, and the Bulldogs will be shattered by this.”
Radio host Mark Levy, meanwhile, called him a “larger than life character”.
“Every time he’d see you, he’d make a beeline for you to come over and and, and have a laugh with you,” Levy said.