Dual international Russell Fairfax has called on the NRL to formally honour Arthur Beetson's contributions to both rugby league and the indigenous community as tributes for the legendary prop flood in.
Beetson died at the age of 66 on Thursday morning when he suffered a heart attack while riding his bicycle on the Gold Coast.
"Arthur had a special something about him and I think it came to the fore in his later years when he took up the cause for his indigenous brothers and he was just a legend as far as that was concerned," Fairfax told Sportal.
"I think that's one of the long legacies he'll leave and I'm hoping at the All Stars game this year they introduce the Arthur Beetson award for the indigenous player of the year, or some recognition of the work he's done because he's been fantastic."
"My best memories of Arthur were when I first joined the Roosters I used to love turning up to training because Arthur had this infectious personality that just made you love coming to training."
"They were my first memories of big Artie but after that we had some great times, a lot of the things that we did together will stay on tour."
NRL boss David Gallop agrees Beetson deserves be honoured on 'a great scale'.
"The All Stars will be just one of many occasions when we'll look to celebrate his contribution to the game and his achievements," Gallop said.
"It's a bit early to put in place everything that I think will be needed but certainly some recognition of a great scale will be something we need to consider for Arthur Beetson's contribution to rugby league."
Fellow rugby league Immortal Johnny Raper described Beetson as a 'terrific ambassador' for the code.
"He was such a great footballer and gave everything to the public and he certainly was a great immortal and I just love the man," Raper told radio 2UE.
"You will never hear a bad word about Arthur Beetson because he was such a lovable bloke."
"I even heard him say to an opponent after he really hit someone with that big body of his, he actually turned around and said 'are you alright mate?'"
"That's the only time we used to get annoyed with him."
Legendary enforcer Tommy Raudonikis, who led NSW into battle against Queensland in the inaugural State of Origin match in 1980, could not contain his emotions when asked about the loss of his close mate.
"We're all shattered here mate," a choked-up Raudonikis, who had the onerous task of breaking the bad news to Beetson's girlfriend, told 2GB.
"We've become very close over the years ... we were just best of mates so I'm just absolutely shattered, and he was out on his pushbike too."
"People don't realise what a good bloke he was, he was just a proud aborigine, the first aboriginal to captain Australia, I played in the first State of Origin with him."
"He was an immortal and one of the greats."
"He just came back from the Four Nations, he took a tour over to England ... and we were going to meet this weekend but that's not to be."
Beetson will always hold a special place in the hearts of Roosters fans having played and coached the club for several seasons.
Roosters boss Steve Noyce said: "The Sydney Roosters are devastated to hear about the sudden death of club and rugby league legend, Arthur Beetson."
"His combined passion for club, State and his indigenous heritage was inspiring to all Australians and will never be forgotten."