Tributes paid to rugby league legend John Kear following his death at 71, was he married?
John Kear was also a renowned broadcaster as well as a former rugby league coach for England and Wales.
Former England and Wales rugby league coach John Kear has died at 71, he passed away after travelling back from the Challenge Cup final. He had commentated on the match between Wigan and Hull KR at Wembley Stadium.
Wakefield Trinity paid tribute to John Kear on Facebook and wrote: “We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of legendary coach and broadcaster John Kear!
“As a club, the whole of Wakefield Trinity would like to pass on our thoughts and condolences to his wife, family and friends during this time and join the Rugby League family in saying he will be dearly missed.”
St.Helens wrote: “Everyone at St.Helens is deeply saddened to hear of the passing of John Kear, one of Rugby League’s most iconic figures.
“Our thoughts and condolences are with his family and friends at this sad time.”
Hull FC wrote: “Hull FC are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of former Head Coach John Kear.
“An iconic figure in the British game, Kear led the Black & Whites to their iconic 2005 Challenge Cup Final triumph in Cardiff, and oversaw over 700 games as a coach across the last four decades.
“The thoughts and condolences of everyone across the club are with John’s wife Dawn, and all of his family and friends at this difficult time.”
The Rugby Football League took to X and wrote: “The RFL today pays tribute to John Kear, who died suddenly on Sunday afternoon returning north from Wembley, having been part of the BBC’s commentary team for the Challenge Cup Finals
“Our thoughts and condolences are with John’s wife Dawn, his family and friends.”
During the 2000 World Cup, John Kear was the coach of the England team and also was in charge at Wales from July 2014 Kear until July 2025. Nigel Wood OBE, Chair of the RFL said: “On behalf of the whole sport, our thoughts and condolences are with John’s wife Dawn, his family, and with those who played or worked alongside him over the last 50 years.
“Having had a 10-year career at Castleford, he found his passion for coaching which saw him oversee more than 700 games across a career which included coaching England in the 2000 World Cup, Wales in the 2017 and 2021 World Cup, oversaw Challenge Cup victories at Sheffield Eagles and Hull FC, and most recently took Batley Bulldogs to the Championship Grand Final.
“But John was also an excellent broadcast summariser with a great turn of phrase and an undiluted love and positivity for the sport.
“It was always a pleasure to see John, at Wakefield Trinity games most recently, as he was full of energy and enthusiasm for the game he clearly loved and had given him so much, in the same way he had given back.”
Sky Sports commentator Dave Woods also paid tribute to John and said: “This is devastating news for all of us, but especially for Dawn and for all of John’s family, and I'm sure the whole sport will join me in sending our deepest condolences.
“He was a great Rugby League man, the most passionate and eloquent of evangelists for the sport, who relished the opportunity to do that on radio and television for the BBC.
“But I’ll remember him as simply the best of blokes, humble, friendly, cheerful, always smiling, always happy to talk to anyone, especially about Rugby League.”