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'I started sobbing': Ray Hadley's touching Bob Fulton tribute

riley morgan
Sports Reporter
·3-min read
Broadcaster Ray Hadley (pictured left) during a red carpet and NRL legend Bob Fulton (pictured right) smiling at a presentation.
Broadcaster Ray Hadley (pictured left) has revealed a touching story about NRL legend Bob Fulton (pictured right) after he died at the age of 74. (Getty Images)

Broadcaster Rad Hadley has revealed a touching story about NRL legend Bob Fulton who died at the age of 74 on Sunday.

There was shock and sadness around the rugby league world on Sunday over the tragic news that 'Immortal' Fulton had died.

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The much-beloved sporting legend's legacy and character meant a lot to the NRL world, which was seen during Greg Alexander's live reaction to the devastating news.

Now, broadcaster Ray Hadley has talked about a special gesture from Fulton that brought him to tears.

Hadley, a mainstay on 2GB radio, shared the airwaves with Fulton for many years and broadcaster revealed how Fulton had arranged for a surprise on his 60th birthday.

Speaking on NRL 360, Hadley he was having a 'rough trot' at the time and wanted his daughter to return from the US to attend his birthday.

“I made overtures to bring her back, I’d had a marriage break-up. She resisted the chance to come back and I didn’t know why," he said on Fox Sports NRL 360.

Hadley said his daughter was making excuses, but he was insistent that she attended the party.

However, the broadcaster didn't know Fulton had arranged for his daughter to return and surprise him on the day.

Bob Fulton (pictured second left) on stage after being inducted into the NSW Team of the Century before match one of the State of Origin series in 2008.
Bob Fulton (pictured second left) on stage after being inducted into the NSW Team of the Century before match one of the State of Origin series in 2008. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

Hadley was in the middle of a speech and thanking the Fulton's when his daughter appeared.

“Through the door walks my middle daughter, I started sobbing and because I was overwhelmed and I look across the line and Bozo’s [Fulton] going: ‘gotcha,'" Hadley said.

“I said to her, to confirm what happened and she says: Mr and Mrs Fulton brought me out.

“I hugged him on the 27th of March when he came to my wedding, I just kept hugging him because I couldn’t believe that someone would do that for me. That was a measure of the man.”

Hadley said he has spoken to the relevant authorities and arranged a state funeral if the Fulton's wanted one for the NRL 'Immortal'.

Alexander's live reaction to Fulton news

Sitting on the Fox League panel before Penrith's clash with South Sydney on Sunday, Penrith legend Alexander heard about Fulton's death for the first time when it was read out by colleague Hannah Hollis.

Alexander's reaction was equal parts heartbreaking and confronting.

“My God,” Alexander said as he stared blankly.

“I was only talking to 'Bozo' a couple of weeks ago.

“I live in the northern beaches and ... yeah ... I pulled up at Woollies and was chatting with Bozo for about half-an-hour.

“That’s devastating news. Gee-whiz.”

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