Footy legend turned reality TV star throws sport into mourning as he dies aged just 55

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Norm Hewitt, a former All Blacks hooker, Dancing with the Stars winner, and advocate for vulnerable children, has passed away at the age of 55 after a battle with motor neurone disease. 

New Zealand media has reported that Hewitt died on Monday night, following the loss of his former Hawke's Bay and Hurricanes teammate Jarrod Cunningham, who succumbed to the same disease in 2007 at the age of 38.

Motor neurone disease (MND) is a progressive neurological disorder that impacts the nerve cells responsible for controlling voluntary muscle movements, leading to muscle weakness and atrophy. 

It affects activities such as speaking, walking, breathing, and swallowing, ultimately resulting in severe physical impairments.

Hewitt grew up in Porangahau, southern Hawke's Bay, and played 296 representative matches during a memorable first-class rugby career spanning 13 seasons for Hawke's Bay, Southland, and Wellington. 

He earned 23 caps for the All Blacks over nine seasons and was a key member of the Hurricanes in the early years of Super Rugby, missing just one match in the first five years.

Hewitt first made the All Blacks as an understudy to Sean Fitzpatrick in the 1993 series against the British and Irish Lions and later that year toured Scotland and England. 

He made his Test debut against Ireland at the 1995 World Cup. 

New Zealand All Blacks hooker Norm Hewitt was one of the hardest men to play the game 

The rugby great won a legion of new fans with his star turn on the New Zealand's Dancing with the Stars TV show, which he won in 2005

Hewitt was also a decorated member of the Hurricanes in the trans-Tasman Super Rugby competition

While an All Black, Hewitt had a famous Haka standoff with England's Richard Cockerill in 1997. 

The pair came face-to-face in an intense showdown before the match at Old Trafford in Manchester. 

Hewitt later described the incident, which ended with pushing and shoving between the pair, and the English team standing toe to toe with the All Blacks, as an ingrained part of 'rugby folklore.'

'It was like there were only two people on that field,' Hewitt said at the time.

'At one point I thought to myself, 'if I had a patu [club] I would have cut his head off,' and I was going into that place. I don't know why … it was a big game and we were going to war and he's my enemy, [a] kill or be killed scenario. 

'I likened it to that and yeah, I suppose it is now part of that folklore much like when the Irish stepped over the line with Buck Shelford.'

Highlighting his toughness, Hewitt played on despite having broken his arm in the crucial dying stage of Wellington's 2000 NPC final win.

Hewitt's confrontation with England's Richard Cockerill during the haka in 1997 (pictured) is etched in rugby folklore

Hewitt lived a troubled life outside of football and also became a great redemption story and advocate for at-risk and  vulnerable youth

A whole new group of Kiwis fell in love with Hewitt when he won the first season of Dancing with the Stars alongside professional dancer Carol-Ann Hickmore in 2005. 

The first New Zealand series of Dancing With The Stars featured a line-up of talent, including actor Shane Cortese, comedian Ewen Gilmore, Silver Fern Bernice Mene and entertainers turned politicians mayor Tim Shadbolt and Georgina Beyer.

But it was Hewitt who set the series on fire, thanks to his personalised pasodoble  [Spanish double step] with partner Carol-Ann Hickmore. 

Combining elements of the Haka with excellent footwork and posture, Hewitt won the first perfect score of the series and had the studio audience on its feet.

Hewitt also became a New Zealand redemption story after he found religion and turned away from violence and alcohol, becoming a champion for leadership-building and the anti-violence message. 

In 1999, he drunkenly broke into the wrong Queenstown hotel room. He later broke down in tears at a press conference and apologised.

'In 1999 I was at a crossroads with my behaviour and had to make some key decisions. One was to stop drinking,' he said in a recent interview.

In a confronting documentary, 'Making Good Men,' Norm revisited his early years when, as a senior at Te Aute College, he severely assaulted his schoolmate, Manu Bennett, who has since become an international actor, known for roles like Slade Wilson in 'Arrow.' 

Hewitt seriously assaulted New Zealand actor Manu Bennett [pictured right] when they were in high school, reaching out to the actor to make amends as part of a documentary

In retirement, Hewitt was a beloved rugby commentator and analyst in New Zealand

Together, the two looked at what shaped them up to that defining moment and found reconciliation with each other and themselves. 

The documentary also culminates in a powerful and moving moment of reconciliation with Norm's father.

Among his many charities, Norm was a 'kahukura' [influencer] for E Tū Whānau, a Māori initiative that focuses on strengthening whānau to bring about changes that prevent violence. 

'It's been an amazing journey. As much as I had to work hard as an athlete, I had to work 10 times as hard to be a father and a husband,' Hewitt told the Salvation Army. 

'Nothing is greater than that.'

Hewitt was also honored in the hit Kiwi show 'Flight of the Conchords,' with co-creator Jemaine Clement revealing, 'We came up with the name Murray Hewitt by combining the names of two famous NZ rugby players: Murray Mexted and Norm Hewitt. Thereby creating the most New Zealand name possible.'

Tributes are flowing on social media. 

'Rest in peace brother. Growing up, you were an idol of mine. Condolences to your family and all who knew you,' one fan posted. 

'Vale Norm. Warrior. Survivor. 2000 still shines in my memory,' posted another.