{"id":842551,"date":"2026-08-03T22:54:18","date_gmt":"2026-08-03T22:54:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/842551\/"},"modified":"2026-08-03T22:54:18","modified_gmt":"2026-08-03T22:54:18","slug":"nrl-community-wraps-arms-around-john-gibbs-after-sad-news-about-manly-and-radio-legend","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/842551\/","title":{"rendered":"NRL community wraps arms around John Gibbs after sad news about Manly and radio legend"},"content":{"rendered":"

NRL<\/a> fans and commentators are sending well-wishes to John Gibbs after it was announced on Monday night that the Manly legend has stepped away from his role with ABC radio after being diagnosed with cancer. The 70-year-old played 87 games for the Sea Eagles from 1976 to 1981, and also represented NSW and Australia.<\/p>\n

He’s become a popular commentator in the years since his retirement and has worked with the ABC on the successful Grandstand radio team since 2016. However his voice won’t be heard on the airwaves for the next little while because he’s stepped away to fight Hodgkin’s lymphoma.<\/p>\n

\"John<\/p>\n

John Gibbs (far left and far right) is a beloved Manly legend and popular radio commentator. Image: ABC<\/p>\n

ABC colleague Andrew Moore revealed the sad news on the air on Monday and sent his well-wishes to Gibbs. “John Gibbs called me this afternoon to confirm something he had been fearing for a while. He’s been diagnosed with cancer – Hodgkin’s lymphoma,” Moore said.<\/p>\n

“He knows he’s in for a fight, but he wants you to know he’s up for it. We are family and, as I discovered a year ago, the wave of support from the ABC team, it’s significant, it’s powerful, it’s amazing and it helps. Like so many of you, he’s ready to kick cancer to the kerb and beat the mongrel.<\/p>\n

“He won’t be working with us this weekend. We don’t know what the rest of the season looks like. Spare a thought for our mate John Gibbs. Get well, mate. We love you.”<\/p>\n

Gibbs was on air with ABC on Sunday alongside Moore and Matthew Elliot to call the Parramatta and Wests Tigers game<\/a>. According to the Cancer Council, Hodgkin’s lymphoma is a type of cancer that starts in the lymphatic system, which is part of the body’s germ-fighting immune network. It occurs when white blood cells called lymphocytes grow out of control, creating abnormal cells known as Reed-Sternberg cells.”<\/p>\n

\"John<\/p>\n

John Gibbs played 87 games for Manly (L) and has been working in Sydney radio for four decades (R). Image: Getty<\/p>\n

NRL world rallies around John Gibbs amid cancer fight<\/p>\n

As Moore mentioned, he endured a health scare of his own last year when he suffered a heart attack. As for Gibbs, he’s spent the better part of four decades working for either 2UE, 2GB or the ABC.<\/p>\n

Messages of support have been flooding in on social media. Zane Bojack wrote: “If there’s one guy I want standing beside me as I go into battle it is John Vincent Gibbs.”<\/p>\n

Brett Sprigg wrote: “Sending all the love to our ABC Sport mate John Gibbs who revealed today he is battling Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Want him back smiling in no time!” While a third person commented: “Sending lots of love to him. He is a gentleman. Love hearing his voice and he is a great sideline commentator.”<\/p>\n

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