After announcing his retirement from Rugby League, players, supporters and coaches alike have sent their tributes to one of the greatest players of the modern era.
Here are some of the best testimonials about Sam Burgess from social media this morning.
Congrats on a special career, legend @SamBurgess8 https://t.co/rrb7Ler9mn
— Stuart Broad (@StuartBroad8) October 30, 2019
My brother
You have given the game so much mana Sammy. As one of your brothers and long time fiend.I wish you all the best in your next chapter in life❤️
Will only think of the happy times we shared on the field and off.
Will never be 4 gotten
Ka aroha tino nui my brother. ❤️? pic.twitter.com/JUyqWqRCN9LATEST NEWS
— issac luke (@issacluke_14) October 30, 2019
This is one of the toughest, most aggressive & gnarliest dudes to ever step foot on a Rugby League pitch?? The game will miss you @SamBurgess8 ?? You helped bring glory back to a very proud club??
All the best in the next phase pal. #TougherThanBurntSirloin ?? https://t.co/thkhNqhb1l— Ashton Sims (@ashtonsims26) October 30, 2019
What a career @SamBurgess8 – ??? – You achieved it all bro and were a pleasure to play against and watch develop from a teenage boy to No1 on the planet.
The real fun and real life starts now. Open your mind and heart to change and you’ll kill it ?https://t.co/SniKbxwzBL pic.twitter.com/qyB6w5tBCV
— Robbie Hunter-Paul (@RHunterPaul) October 30, 2019
Sad day for the game when @SamBurgess8 has to retire early.
The best player I ever played alongside.
A absolute champion on and off the field.
A pleasure to play with you and to share some great times away from the game.
One of the true greats of the modern era.
? pic.twitter.com/d4JPuI74nW— Jamie Peacock MBE (@JamiePeacock10) October 30, 2019
As a young English kid growing all I wanted to do was be like you.Then I got the chance to meet and become friends with you and to play along side you,which was a dream come true.Your a inspiration to every rugby league player in the game.Enjoy your retirement you legend ? pic.twitter.com/4iQ8KAaqya
— John Bateman (@johnbateman1) October 30, 2019
? one of the best to play the game. Gutted to have not had the chance to play with him all the best @SamBurgess8 https://t.co/jQCpUCq7gy
— oliver gildart (@OliverGildart3) October 30, 2019
Legend.
It was a great honour for me to share the field with you, all the best in the future mate. https://t.co/exFcbLGhOu— Jermaine McGillvary (@J_mcGillvary) October 30, 2019
Honour to of played alongside you. Legend of the game!
All the best in whatever’s next for you mate @SamBurgess8 https://t.co/z5GmiuV9hs— George Williams (@George7Williams) October 30, 2019
The best player I’ve played alongside and is everything a leader should be. Champion on and off the field. Enjoy retirement legend @samburgess8 https://t.co/6C6g6KQwcM
— Luke Gale (@snozzer_gale) October 30, 2019
It was an honour to share the field with you, congratulations on a great career and good luck in the next chapter @SamBurgess8 ? pic.twitter.com/HuYGwtrKn2
— Alex Walmsley (@engywalmsley) October 30, 2019
He’s lived every young Englishman’s dream. Been and delivered his best to the Australian game. Never had the chance to play with or play against him but is someone I’ve always looked up to. Legend gets thrown around too easy these days but he definitely deserves that accolade?
— Liam Watts (@WATTSY7890) October 30, 2019
It was a privilege to take the field with you mate, you’re a true legend of the game @SamBurgess8 All the best in your next chapter mate ?? https://t.co/537hQ0d53V
— Mike McMeeken (@MMcMeeken94) October 30, 2019
Sad day for the game!
Congratulations on a great career, was an honour to play alongside you. All the best for the future @SamBurgess8 ?? https://t.co/u2k11018Bb— Leroy Cudjoe (@Elroy_cudj) October 30, 2019
Such a loss but what a guy! Hopefully Sam will stay in the game in some capacity. His leadership skills alone are worth their weight in gold!! Thanks @SamBurgess8 for the memories as a Dewsbury Moor boy, a Bradford Bull, a Rabbitoh and a proud Englishman. #ThankYouSam https://t.co/kueYyf4sbH
— Dewsbury Moor ARLFC (@dewsburymoorARL) October 30, 2019
A legendary Yorkshireman, @SamBurgess8 took on the world and led his country from the front #ThankYouSam ? https://t.co/YFJockCdNw
— Leeds Rhinos (@leedsrhinos) October 30, 2019
? Congratulations on an outstanding career @SamBurgess8! We wish you all the best.#RoversRevolution✊ pic.twitter.com/vRIVOuidfT
— Hull Kingston Rovers (@hullkrofficial) October 30, 2019
? Best of luck to @SamBurgess8 in retirement as he decides to hang up his boots.
? Congratulations on an outstanding Rugby League career! https://t.co/K8N2rNF3op pic.twitter.com/bhyJi08K6A
— Wigan Warriors ?⚪️ (@WiganWarriorsRL) October 30, 2019
Imagine how much poorer we would all be if @russellcrowe hadn’t convinced @SamBurgess8 to come to the NRL. Sam was one of the best forwards I have seen and the respect he earned paved the way for other English players. He was great to deal with off the field too. I wish him well.
— Brad Walter (@BradWalterSport) October 30, 2019
Sam Burgess has been one of the most exciting players of his generation. His performance in the 2014 NRL Grand Final, leading his side to victory a despite suffering a shattered cheekbone, among the most iconic ever. A great shame it’s ended prematurely but what a player ???? https://t.co/9RgWWNb5L1
— Gareth Walker (@garethwalker) October 30, 2019
Genuinely a once in a generation player. Possibly the best British import the NRL has seen and a born winner. Not sure we’ll see another of Sam Burgess’ like ever again. Desperately sad he couldn’t finish on his own terms and a shame he couldn’t have a crack at a home WC in 2021 https://t.co/3tSyx6YKle
— Aaron Bower (@AaronBower) October 30, 2019
Thank you, @SamBurgess8 ??? ? pic.twitter.com/rrIoNSmAse
— FOX LEAGUE (@FOXNRL) October 30, 2019
The best of the beast, Sam Burgess ?#SSTID pic.twitter.com/qOSso0XocL
— NRL (@NRL) October 30, 2019
? @SamBurgess8 has announced his retirement from Rugby League with immediate effect.
♥️ Thanks for everything, Sam…#ThankYouSam pic.twitter.com/lTBg9gIAJ5
— England Rugby League (@England_RL) October 30, 2019
? One of THE great Sam Burgess moments… right back at the start, aged just 18 in a Great Britain shirt.
? "Sam Burgess stuns Fuifui Moimoi with huge hit."#ThankYouSam pic.twitter.com/StxPbqMsdH
— Rugby Football League ??? (@TheRFL) October 30, 2019
Some of the best ? @SamBurgess8 #NRL pic.twitter.com/mVDtlXrwHV
— NRL (@NRL) October 30, 2019