England coach Steve McNamara has described the late Steve Prescott as ‘superhuman’.
McNamara’s friend and former teammate at both England and Wakefield tragically passed away aged 39 last week after battling a rare and gruelling form of stomach cancer.
Prescott was given just months to live back in 2006 but courageously fought his disease and did all he could to help others in the same situation.
“I saw him pretty much straight after he was diagnosed and he looked very unwell then,” said McNamara.
“When you look at how much longer he lived, what he did was superhuman.
“We both had a tough time at Wakefield and when I saw him over recent years we used to sit down and have a moan and a groan about those days.
“We became very close friends and the news that he has died is very tough to take.”
The England boss also spoke of Prescott’s inspirational talk to his players before their mid-season match against the Exiles in Warrington earlier this year.
“When you look at how much longer he lived, what he did was superhuman.” – England coach Steve McNamara
“He spoke to the players before that game and told them that the body will do what the mind tells it.
“He was not in great shape then, he had been told again he could not eat or drink but he dragged himself there.”
Prescott raised more than half a million pounds for charity through the Steve Prescott Foundation and was awarded an MBE in 2009 for his efforts.
“We all talk about all the feats that he achieved after finding out about his illness but I also like to remember him as a fantastic rugby league player,” added McNamara.
