R.I.P. Steve Prescott

Quote: Mike Smith "Smith pays tribute to Prescott
Hull KR CEO Mike Smith has paid tribute to Steve Prescott who sadly passed away last weekend.

The former St Helens, Hull FC and Wakefield fullback battled terminal stomach cancer for seven years and became an inspiration to many as he took on a series of gruelling challenges to raise money for charity despite his illness.

Smith was heavily involved in the organisation of the ‘Rumble on the Humber’ boxing event back in 2007 which saw Lee Radford and Stuart Fielden step into the ring in aid of Prescott and his family.

The Steve Prescott Foundation was then founded a few months after that and Smith says it was a privilege to have known someone he describes as the most courageous and humble person he’s ever met.

“Steve battled against the illness with tremendous courage, dignity and an incredibly positive attitude,” he said. “When we put the ‘Rumble on the Humber’ together we thought the response would be good, but it was actually phenomenal. Of course, everyone wanted to see the boxing but really the people who were there were there for Steve, which tells you a lot about the impact he had on people as a rugby league player and a person.

“The challenges that he took on for his Foundation were extremely tough and the fact that he managed to get through them despite his illness was incredible really. Steve didn’t know how to quit and I think most of us could only stand back and admire the way he went about his life in the past six or seven years.

“The word courageous doesn’t do him justice as he went over and above that with the things he achieved. He was also a tremendous rugby league player and the reaction to his passing from within the game shows the esteem he was held in by players, coaches, officials and supporters.

“We all support our own club but rugby league is also a very close-knit family and Steve brought that family together through the amazing things that he did for charity. He’ll be very sadly missed by everybody and on behalf of everyone at Hull Kingston Rovers I’d like to pass on our sincerest condolences to his family and friends at this very difficult time.”'"