The South Sydney Rabbitohs are mourning the recent passing of one of our former mascots in Kevin Freeman.
There’s only one bunny bigger than the Easter Bunny during the footy season and that’s ‘Reggie the Rabbit’ - the oldest, most famous and most beloved mascot in Rugby League.
Mr Freeman was our ’re-instatement’ rabbit. For five seasons before Souths’ axing, he was the dressing room doorman, and during exile seasons 2000-2001 worked as Redfern Oval groundsman and scoreboard attendant at junior fixtures and on Wednesday nights for the local police competition. He wore the rabbit suit on the fight back tours and regularly did hospital visits to children, especially on birthdays. Mr Freeman also worked in maintenance at South Sydney Leagues Club and was the official time keeper at some games.
Cut from the same battler’s cloth as his predecessors, Freeman wore the ‘Reggie’ suit on rural tours and on visits to local children’s hospitals. Most teams in the National Rugby League maintain mascots. But none do the sort of charity work as ‘Reggie’ and none dare venture to opposition grounds as our ‘Reggie’ does.
About 15 years before taking on the role of ‘Reggie’, Mr Freeman used to be a flat tracker during his speedway days. He raced as a sidecar passenger, coming first in the state championships and third in the Australian championships.
On behalf of everyone connected to the South Sydney Rabbitohs, we offer our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Kevin Freeman at this difficult time.
Funeral details:
Tuesday 21 July, 11am at Garden Chapel, Military Road Botany.
