*Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised that this article contains the name and image of someone who has passed away. With permission from their family, we continue to use their image to acknowledge and honour their contribution to making our communities healthy and strong.
Deadly Choices, Australia’s leading Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander preventative health program, is proud to launch a special edition Queensland Rugby League (QRL) Carl Webb health check shirt – co designed by Webb himself as a powerful tribute now reimagined for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health outcomes.
Carl Webb born and raised in Queensland, was a powerhouse NRL player, making his mark over 14 seasons with the North Queensland Cowboys, Brisbane Broncos, and Parramatta Eels, while also representing Queensland in State of Origin, Australia and the Indigenous All Stars. His dynamic play paired with his advocacy for his people earned him the respect of fans, teammates and community.
However, it’s not just Webb’s contributions to rugby league that have left a lasting impact.
Following his 2020 Motor Neurone Disease (MND) diagnosis, Webb established the Carl Webb Foundation dedicated to raising awareness, funding research and supporting individuals and families affected by the disease. Since his passing in December 2023, the Carl Webb Foundation continues to his mission.
Through meaningful collaboration with the Carl Webb Foundation and the ongoing partnership with the QRL, the Deadly Choices x QRL Carl Webb health check shirt will encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community members to complete a 715 Health Check at their local Community Controlled Health Service (CCHS).
This impactful incentive contributes to Deadly Choices’ commitment to empower Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to make healthy choices for themselves and their families by eating nutritious food, being physically active, quitting smoking or vaping and staying up to date with their annual health check.
Webb shared the field with several Deadly Choices Ambassadors, including Petero Civoniceva, Willie Tonga and Brenton Bowen.
Bowen, his former teammate at the Cowboys, expressed his enthusiasm for the collaboration.
“Partnering with the Carl Webb Foundation and Queensland Rugby League to bring this shirt to life is an honour for Deadly Choices.”
“Carl has been an amazing role model in community. This shirt will help raise awareness for the amazing work his Foundation does and at the same time contribute to increasing health checks and improving our people’s health outcomes.”
“Deadly Choices is proud to be a part of his legacy,” said Bowen.
Deanna Keating, Carl Webb Foundation Board Director, said “Carl wanted his legacy to be felt across the rugby community and to give back to the people and places which meant so much to him in his sporting career.”
We honour this opportunity to support Deadly Choices and look forward to continuing to work alongside our partners across Queensland.”
The 2025 Deadly Choices Carl Webb shirt is now available at partnering CCHS across Australia and will be an important incentive in the upcoming Deadly Choices’ Deadly Maroons health check campaign.