Noah Johannssen, a 22-year-old Australian professional rugby player, has died. The North Sydney Bears announced Johannssen’s passing in a social media statement on Saturday, March 28.
Team statement and career
The North Sydney Bears said Johannssen had been with their NSW Cup squad for five months and had “quickly made a lasting impression through his vibrant nature, dedication and the respect he showed to everyone around him.” The team added: “His loss is felt deeply across our playing group, staff, and wider Bears community.” The club’s announcement was shared on Instagram: North Sydney Bears Instagram post.
The Bears also shared a message from CEO Gareth Holmes, who wrote: “Noah was a young man of great character. This is a heartbreaking loss, and our thoughts are with his family and loved ones.”
Ben Johannssen / Instagram
Family tributes and fundraising
Further details about Johannssen’s death have not been confirmed. His family and teammates shared tributes on social media.
His brother, fellow professional player Tim Johannssen, posted a tribute on Instagram, writing: “My F***EN BROTHER MY FOEVER [sic] LOVE, I’ll always be attached to you bro and I’ll always be so glad for your existence and what you did for me bro, the man you made me be and everything I have today is because you were there for me,” and adding, “So f***en broken but I know I’ll see you again on the other side and you’ll always be with me in spirit, till next time my little buddy.” The post can be viewed here: Tim Johannssen Instagram.
Several friends posted tributes via the joint Instagram account Noah shared with brother Tim; the account had nearly 3,500 followers. Brother Ben Johannssen shared a clip of recent vlogs on Instagram: Ben Johannssen Instagram clip. The brothers also produced content together on a joint YouTube channel.
A GoFundMe page set up to provide a “proper farewell” had raised nearly $35,000 toward a $40,000 goal at the time of the announcement. The fundraiser described Noah as “an amazing brother, son, uncle, and friend, an incredible football player, and someone who truly lit up every room he walked into.”
What is known
The date of the announcement was March 28. No further details about the circumstances or location of Johannssen’s death have been disclosed by the family or the club.
Image Referance: https://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/news/noah-johannssen-dead-professional-rugby-player-was-22/