Eddie Butler, former Wales rugby captain, dies at 65

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CARDIFF, Wales (AP) — Eddie Butler, a former Wales rugby captain who later solid a profession as a extremely revered commentator and broadcaster, has died. He was 65.

Butler’s dying was introduced on Thursday by the Welsh Rugby Union and the BBC, for whom he labored. Prostate Cymru, the well being charity the place Butler served as an envoy, stated he died in his sleep at a base camp on the Inca Trail in Peru. He was taking part in a fundraising trek.

Butler was a No. 8 who performed 16 occasions for Wales from 1980-84 and toured New Zealand with the British and Irish Lions in 1983.

After rugby, Butler loved a brief stint as a trainer, then with a property improvement firm earlier than discovering one other area of interest in broadcasting.

Butler moved on from spells with nationwide newspapers to excel for the BBC in commentary on rugby, but additionally including colour to main sporting occasions, notably Olympic protection.

“For many, Eddie was the voice of Welsh rugby,” Welsh Rugby Union chairman Rob Butcher stated, “and he can be sorely missed by supporters across the globe in addition to his pals all through the sport and right here on the WRU.

“He proudly represented his country as a player, was a mainstay in press boxes around the world long after he retired from the game and has been prolific in the way in which he has served Welsh rugby in both the written and spoken word over decades.”

Former England hooker Brian Moore paid tribute to Butler, who he commentated alongside for the BBC.

“Ed, I’m sorry I never told you how much I admired you as a broadcaster and as a man,” Moore stated on Twitter. “Well, it wasn’t like that between us, was it.”

“Sport,” Moore added, “has lost an iconic voice.”

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