Rabbitohs premiership-winner Sam Burgess is getting plenty of praise on social media after he rushed to help a fan in the middle of a medical episode.
According to a Facebook post shared on a South Sydney supporters group, Burgess raced to be by the side of a woman who collapsed at a Rabbitohs training session.
A visually impaired fan, identified as Vicki Panos, collapsed at the end of a training session after watching on as players went through their pre-season work-outs on Redfern Oval in Sydney on Australia Day.
According to the woman’s carer, the fan collapsed at the end of the session as a result of extreme heat in Sydney last week.
Support worker Jolzy Louise-Prophet was full of praise for Burgess when sharing the story.
She also thanked Rabbitohs coach Jason Demetriou for also acting quickly to offer help.
“Yesterday on the 26/01/2023 at approximately 11am my client had a medical episode just outside of Redfern oval,” she posted.
My client is a 53 year old women with many health problems and is visually impaired, but that has not stopped her from supporting her team the Rabbitohs. We came down to Redfern to watch the boys train and my client was then so excited to get up close and get some signatures.
“After the training was over we were leaving to return home, however the heat proved too much for my client and she collapsed on the floor. I was there assisting her and when I turned around here was the amazing Sam Burgess on the floor helping my client.
“Sam never left her side, he offered her his own personal drink and helped her to sip. He held her up as she was in and out of consciousness. He was sweet and reassuring. He showed so much compassion and empathy.
“Jason Demetriou called for the staff to get a cool towel, ice and water. He watched over Sam and my client to make sure she was ok. They never left until she was in the safe hands of the ambulance workers.
“We love to go to games, we love to put on our jerseys, we love to meet the players, we love our team win or lose, but none of that will match the pride we have today after witnessing the true love, care and support from the boys to someone in need.
“Sam Burgess is truly a Superstar, he did not have to stop, he did not have to help, he did not have to care. But he did stop, he did help and he does care. I’m hoping that those who were there to witness this, will spread the word of just how wonderful Sam and the Rabbitohs are.
“Forever Glory Glory to South Sydney.”
The Englishman is reported to have had a popular influence on the team since taking up his position as an assistant coach last year.
The 34-year-old is set to appear in court on February 15 after he allegedly returned a positive result for cocaine and was found to be driving with a suspended licence.
He had been pulled over while driving a BMW X5 in Kingsford in Sydney on December 22.
He later denied taking any drugs.
Burgess appears to be in a happy and healthy mental space after a series of incidents following his retirement.
He spent Christmas with new girlfriend Lucy Graham and family members, as revealed in Instagram photos.
