Tough guys, tougher game

The BBC has an article about a rugby player, dead:

A rugby league player seriously injured during a Queensland Cup match in Australia has died in hospital. James Ackerman (photo), 25, was playing for the Sunshine Coast Falcons when he suffered a head injury in a tackle five minutes into a game against the Norths Devils. The father-of-two was treated on the field at Bishop Park before being taken to hospital in Brisbane, and the game on Saturday was then abandoned.
The Queensland Rugby League (QRL) said that Ackerman had passed away. According to the Australian newspaper the Courier-Mail,  Francis Molo, 20, who made the tackle on Ackerman, is "struggling to cope".
A minute's silence was held for Ackerman prior to Monday's NRL game between the St. George-Illawarra Dragons and the Sydney Roosters. Both sets of players also wore black arm bands.
Sunshine Coast Falcons chief executive officer Chris Flannery described Ackerman as a "champion guy" and "one of our leaders". Flannery added: "He lived for rugby league. He was a tough competitor and a fine player who in many ways was the heart and soul of our team."
QRL managing director Robert Moore said  it was a "very difficult and traumatic time".
He added: "We send our deepest condolences to James's family and friends, and the Sunshine Coast club. One of the strengths of rugby league is the game's ability to rally behind its own, and I have no doubt this will happen throughout this challenging period." Moore also said it was not an appropriate time to comment further on the incident itself.
A statement from Ackerman's family, including wife Saraa, children Olliver and Milly, brothers Andrew and Thomas, and parents Michael and Sonya, thanked the medical staff at both clubs, the paramedics, the hospital and the "overwhelming" support from his current and former team-mates.
It said: "James loved the game of rugby league, he always played the game with his heart on his sleeve. We will miss you."
The Falcons are a feeder team for NRL side Melbourne Storm, as are Norths Devils for the Brisbane Broncos.
NRL chief executive Dave Smith said: "This is such a tragedy and we send our sympathies to everyone who knew and loved James."

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