Roosters Young Gun Steep Honoured with Bravery Medal

Blake Steep, a young player for the Roosters, has been recognized for his bravery in a ceremony held today in Sydney, where he received a bravery medal from the Governor of New South Wales.

Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley AC KC, serving as Patron of The Royal Humane Society of NSW, presented the awards to a total of 46 individuals, including both citizens and first responders, at Government House in Sydney.

Blake was awarded a silver medal for his courageous act of rescuing his father, Brent, while they were spearfishing at Delicate Nobby, around 15 kilometers north of Port Macquarie, on January 4 of this year.

During their spearfishing trip, Blake observed his father drop his speargun and float face down in the water.

Displaying remarkable bravery, the 20-year-old swam his father to a nearby rock platform. Despite sustaining lacerations while attempting this rescue, Blake managed to get his father onto the rocks.

Upon realizing that his father was facing difficulty in breathing and speaking, it became clear that Brent had experienced a medical emergency.

In a show of determination, Blake then swam approximately 400 meters to the beach to call for emergency assistance, before swimming back to continue caring for his father on the rock shelf. Brent was later transported to Prince of Wales Hospital, where he successfully underwent open-heart surgery.