Popular rugby player, coach and former political candidate Devrae Noel-Simmons has died at the age of 45.

Easily recognisable by both his large build and distinctive mohawk, the well known businessman and athlete was yesterday described as an avid competitor, a caring father and a talented coach.

He is survived by his wife, Sue, and son Dante.

Mr Noel-Simmons was a lifetime athlete, playing semi-professional American football with the Oregon Thunderbolts and establishing himself as a bodybuilder before turning his attention to rugby.

Over the years he not only played for the Teacher’s Rugby Football Club, but coached the Bermuda Rugby Football Union’s Under 14 and Under 16 National Teams.

His love of sports and his interest in helping the Island’s youth inspired him to start the The International Fitness Pros Summer Sport Performance Camp, which offered sports training to young people aged six to 15.

It is understood that he played gridion football for Washington, DC’s Howard University.

He graduated from Howard and returned from the United Stats and became a businessman, founding International Fitness Pros Training Academy and operating DPA Protection Services of Bermuda as CEO.

Mr Noel-Simmons was well known in hospitality circles as a bouncer.

In 2010, Mr Noel-Simmons ran as the United Bermuda Party candidate in a Warwick South Central by-election to fill the seat left vacant by former Premier Ewart Brown.

In doing so, he became the last candidate to appear on a ballot under the UBP banner.

While he was defeated by Progressive Labour Party’s Marc Bean, he was able to capture 17 percent of the vote — beating Bermuda Democratic Alliance candidate Sylvan Richards who won 15 percent of the vote.

Sean Field-Lament, the chairman of the Bermuda Police Rugby Football Club, described Mr Noel-Simmons as a fierce competitor on the rugby pitch and a much loved youth coach.

“He always gave 100 percent. He came into rugby late, but he had a real joie de vivre for the sport.

“He enjoyed the physicality that took place, that is required to play rugby,” Supt Field-Lament said. “He was a great guy and just a wonderful ambassador for the sport. He was a big strong man and his presence on the pitch was always felt.

“As a coach, he always expected the children to give their all.

“He had high standards for both himself and his children and they respected that.

“He was going to be taking the Under-16 National team to England, and they have been training really hard, getting ready for the trip.

“He touched a lot of kid’s lives through rugby and through his fitness camps. He was definitely a positive influence, and his passing has left a void.”

Supt Field-Lament said Mr Noel-Simmons will be remembered at the George Duckett Memorial tournament this Saturday with moments of silence before each game and players donning black arm bands.

Kim Swan, a relative of Mr Noel-Simmons and the former UBP leader, said he was stunned by the loss.

“Devrae loved his wife Sue and their son Dante who he proudly introduced to everyone he met,” Mr Swan said. “He wanted what was best for his family and was so proud of them — that was an admirable trait.”

Mr Swan said Mr Noel-Simmons became involved with the United Bermuda Party in 2008 and worked for the party at the branch level in Sandys South.

“I fondly remember the very successful fundraiser for the United Bermuda Party he helped to arrange in Sandys Parish at Somerset Country Squire,” he said. “It marked a new energy we were prepared to launch in the West End.”

While Mr Swan said that his selection as a candidate raised some eyebrows, the party chose to stick by him because of the commitment he demonstrated at in the Sandys branch and his willingness to work to make Bermuda a better place.

Opposition Leader Marc Bean meanwhile said he was shocked by Mr Noel-Simmons’ sudden passing, noting that the two had not only competed in politics, but on the field at the Nelson Bascome Focus Trophy charity football game.

“I have known Devrae for a long time as he was a good friend of my brother and my neighbours,” Mr Bean said. “It comes as a great shock, and I would like to express my deepest condolences to his wife and child.”

Former professional wrestler and current WWE announcer John Layfield, said via Twitter that he was “saddened” to learn of Mr Noel-Simmons death, calling him “a good husband and father, who had risen above some issues to give back to the community”.

Zeta Lambda Lambda Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc Amoti Nyabongo said Mr Noel-Simmons’ brothers in the fraternity were shocked to learn of his death.

“It’s a real shock to us. We were going to be working together on a service project on Sunday. You never get used to it,” Mr Nyabongo said. “To lose him at such an early age and to know that he thought the world of his son, has the brothers reeling.”