Former Roosters player Johnny Mayes has sadly passed away after a courageous fight against a brain tumour. At 78, Mayes was a prominent figure in Jack Gibson’s successful Roosters team, which captured consecutive titles in 1974 and 1975. Although he played a season at Manly in 1973, where he also secured a championship, he ultimately returned to his roots at the Roosters.
Mayes represented Australia in the 1975 World Cup as a talented halfback. Recently, his family received shocking news following an MRI that revealed a highly aggressive brain tumour. His son, Glen, conveyed the difficult news, stating that doctors estimated his father’s time was limited—possibly just a few weeks or, optimistically, a couple of months. They had attempted to use steroids to manage the condition, but these efforts proved ineffective. While Mayes experiences paralysis on one side of his body and struggles with dementia, he is currently not in pain.
In recent days, his family celebrated his 78th birthday at the hospital, expressing their intention to cherish the remaining time they have together. Mayes has been surrounded by love from family, including his four children and six grandchildren, as well as former teammates reaching out during this challenging time. There are plans to transition him to palliative care soon.
Johnny Mayes’ life was not without hardship. At the young age of 14, he faced the loss of his father, leading him to leave school and pause his football career to financially support his family. Years later, he returned to the sport, and after hanging up his boots, he moved to Evans Head on the New South Wales coast, where he became a beloved member of the local community.