RIP Dan Vickerman

Only 37. Condolences to his familyFormer Wallaby Vickerman dead at 37Former teammates and international rivals have expressed, sadness shock and respect following the death of former Wallabies lock Dan Vickerman at age 37.The Australian Rugby Union confirmed that Vickerman died at his family home in Sydney overnight.It is understood there were no suspicious circumstances.He leaves behind a wife and two young children.Born in South Africa, Vickerman moved to Australia at age 21 and went on to play 67 Tests and three World Cup tournaments for his adopted nation from 2002-2011 before injuries forced his retirement in 2012..He was renowned for his strong lineout work and aggressive approach on the ground."The rugby world is in shock today after news of the tragic passing of Dan Vickerman," said ARU chief executive Bill Pulver."He was an enforcer on the field and a much-loved character off the field."The Wallabies, Wallaroos and Australian Sevens teams, the Australian Super Rugby franchises and the Rugby Union Players' Association were quick to pay their respects to Vickeman, along with several of his former teammates.There was a particularly poignant tweet from fellow lock Nathan Sharpe, who formed a formidable second row combination with Vickerman."I had my arm around you for most of our playing days brother. No words can express the sadness," Sharpe tweeted.Five-eight Quade Cooper tweeted, "Shocked an old team mate Dan Vickerman has passed away..Grateful to have played alongside you."Vickerman's last Test was the 2011 World cup semi-final loss to New Zealand.The All Blacks' Twitter account was among the first of the international responses to the news."The#AllBlacks join the rugby family in mourning the passing of former Wallabies lock Dan Vickerman. Rest in Peace," it tweeted.While regarded as an uncompromising figure on the field, Vickerman was a very diffrerent person away from the field.Winger Lote Tuqiri, who said he was shattered by the news of Vickerman's death, described him as an "absolute gentleman."He was very well-mannered off the field," Tuqiri told Fairfax Media.He had that white-line fever but off the field he was lovely."He was a big man with a soft heart."Another former Wallabies and Waratahs backline teammate, Matthew Burke, painted a similar picture.""Very abrasive as a player but a good bloke, though," Burke told Fairfax media.Vickerman linked with the Brumbies on arrival in Australia and made his Super Rugby debut in the 2001 season.In June 2002 he made his Test debut in a 31-25 Wallabies victory over France.After three seasons and 33 appearances for the Brumbies, he was signed by the Waratahs in 2004 and played five seasons and 53 matches for them.After playing in his second Rugby World Cup in France in 2007, Vickerman withdrew from Australian rugby for three years to study in England.He earned a degree in land economics from Cambridge University, where he played in two Varsity matches against Oxford, captaining the side to a 31-27 victory in 2009.He returned to Australia in time to earn selection by Wallabies coach Robbie Deans for the 2011 World Cup.Readers seeking support and information about suicide prevention can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.MensLine Australia 1300 78 99 78.Read more at http://wwos.nine.com.au/2017/02/19/15/57/former-wallaby-vickerman-dead-at-37#YEaVBPjc2Z1rLx3P.99

The biggest struggle professional athletes have when they retire isn't the adjustment to suddenly being viewed as yesterday's hero in the eyes of the public (part of it certainly) it's adjusting to not having a regimented lifestyle that a professional athlete lives. Most of these men were likely identified as 10 year olds and have spent their entire lives dedicated to a sport where every single gram of food and hour of the day is structured for them to achieve ultimate success. 25 years later and the only focus they've ever had is taken away. Given the tragedy that occurred within chad just before Christmas, now Dan I believe the discussion and the professional sporting bodies need to take action. Pouring resources into providing a thorough support network for all retiring/ retired players has to be a major focus. How many more do we have to lose before someone in a authoritative position offers something more than just their condolences??

"HFK, Fair point. Sure, we could. But balancing incoming youth with experience is almost a perennial issue. A constant cycle. It never really goes away. At least not for too long. "

Replies

Snakey - Sack Dylan Brown February 19, 2017 at 7:45pm

Very sad stuff, just looking at the news, not much being released in regards to cause and its not suspicious, was this suicide?

Very good player RIP
- Turpy > Snakey - Sack Dylan Brown February 19, 2017 at 7:48pm
  
  Only indication is the last line reference to a suicide prevention line. Not sure though.
- Tanklynpjones > Snakey - Sack Dylan Brown February 19, 2017 at 7:56pm
  
  If someone dies with 'no suspicious circumstances' it's from their own hand.
  That, and the Beyond Blue or Lifeline is always the give away
- Numbers > Snakey - Sack Dylan Brown February 19, 2017 at 8:22pm
  
  Usually if they provide lifeline phone number after an article it means it was suicide.
  
  Rip Dan the man.
- Michael Ericson > Snakey - Sack Dylan Brown February 19, 2017 at 8:26pm
  
  Yeah it certainly looks like suicide. On the back of Chad Robinson it's very sad. People are blaming the concussion syndrome that has become prevalent of late. Whilst I don't doubt there is some medical validity to it I tend to think with the guys in their late 30's who have recently retired it's more of a failure to adjust to life after professional sport . Look at Grant Hackett and the way he has completely gone off the rails, pretty sure he didn't get concussed swimming laps. The issue is you go from a very privileged, enjoyable life style with heaps of mates and hangers on to suddenly being confronted with normal life, which is fun sometimes but often mundane.
- Traditional Croissant > Snakey - Sack Dylan Brown February 20, 2017 at 10:00am
  
  The biggest struggle professional athletes have when they retire isn't the adjustment to suddenly being viewed as yesterday's hero in the eyes of the public (part of it certainly) it's adjusting to not having a regimented lifestyle that a professional athlete lives. Most of these men were likely identified as 10 year olds and have spent their entire lives dedicated to a sport where every single gram of food and hour of the day is structured for them to achieve ultimate success. 25 years later and the only focus they've ever had is taken away. Given the tragedy that occurred within chad just before Christmas, now Dan I believe the discussion and the professional sporting bodies need to take action. Pouring resources into providing a thorough support network for all retiring/ retired players has to be a major focus. How many more do we have to lose before someone in a authoritative position offers something more than just their condolences??
Snakey - Sack Dylan Brown February 19, 2017 at 7:53pm

If thats the case it probably was id guess, very bloody sad stuff when any young person feels like they cant go on.
- Outrunna > Snakey - Sack Dylan Brown February 20, 2017 at 11:21am
  
  It just reminds me so much of Chad Robinson. Both similar ages, both 2 kids. They were both incredibly popular.
Snakey - Sack Dylan Brown February 19, 2017 at 8:07pm

Not all the time, you can have a heart attack at home and it will be reported early on as no suspicious circumstances, but yes if theres lifeline of beyond blue mentioned its a suicide.
- Thooper Dooper Maltese Sparrow > Snakey - Sack Dylan Brown February 20, 2017 at 10:21am
  
  I have seen cases of suicide as 'suspicious circumstances?'. I thought they all were until the autopsy was complete?
  R.I.P Dan...