Icon making miraculous recovery from heart attack

“Sam’s condition is improving on a daily basis,” she said.

“Sam is no longer in an induced coma and the medical team is confident Sam will continue to improve. Sam’s extended family and I have been overwhelmed and grateful for the heartfelt support for Sam and we have no doubt the prayers and spiritual blessings have helped Sam fight his biggest battle to date.

“I am sure most of you will not be surprised at Sam’s strong spirit and determination to get through this. Thank you for your ongoing concern for Sam and we too look forward to his continued improvement.”

A colourful figure who shone in the front row for Canberra, Brisbane, Queensland and Australia, 62-year-old Backo is still beloved in Canberra.

Backo is regarded as one of the finest Indigenous players of the 20th century.

He wrote himself into league folklore in 1988 when he became the first Australian forward to score tries in all three Tests of an Ashes series – a record that no one has ever matched.

After his retirement in 1990, he was named in the Indigenous Australian Team of the Century.

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