His performance in the NRL Grand Final is being heralded as heroic and legendary after he sealed victory for the North Queensland Cowboys with a golden point field goal. His teammates paid tribute to him after he was awarded the Clive Churchill Medal as man of the match.
And on Monday morning, the people's encyclopaedia, Wikipedia, was updated to reflect what at least many Cowboys fans must believe to be true:
"Johnathan Dean Thurston (born 25 April 1983) is a God and co-captain of National Rugby League team the North Queensland Cowboys," Thurston's Wikipedia page read. NITV was tipped off about the edit in a .
It appeared to start a brief Wiki-war, with the word 'God' being changed to a derogatary word for a brief period and soon returning to 'a rugby league player'.
Source: Wikipedia
Source: Wikipedia
History in the making
By Jodan Perry
Thurston had already made history as the first player to win the National Rugby League's prestigious Dally M medal four times.
Ten years after he first won the award in his first season with the Cowboys in 2005, the halfback ran away with the victory, tallying 32 points, 11 clear of Aaron Woods, Benji Marshall and Michael Ennis, who tied for second on 21.
A red-hot favourite after the voting went behind closed doors, the humble 32-year-old displayed his emotions as if it were the first time he had received the honour.
"We play the game for friendships," he on Monday. "I get to run around with my best mates week in and week out, when you're playing at origin level and for your country as well. It's about having fun out there, it's a team game."
I get to run around with my best mates week in and week out, when you're playing at origin level and for your country as well
"The boys I have around me, they do all the hard work for me, I put the cream on top. It's been a heck of a year, I couldn't be more proud standing up here with my fourth Dally M award."
Thurston was similarly humble after the Grand Final, saying "I'm speechless, I can't believe it. I can't believe what we've just done."
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Mr Thurston, who began his career with the Bulldogs which won the 2004 premiership, moved to the North Queensland Cowboys the year after where he has been co-captain since 2007.
The champion halfback's list of achievements throughout his career continue to grow.
A two-time recipient of the international Golden Boot award in 2011 and 2013, Thurston continues to be a dominant force in the State of Origin arena.
He is the all-time highest point scorer in Origin history, and did not miss a game in Queensland's eight consecutive series wins between 2006 and 2013.
Thurston is also well known for his sportsmanship. In 2004 he gave injured Bulldogs captain Steven Price his premiership ring, and he has continued to be an inspiration and role model for younger generations. His kindness was on show again last weekend when he gave his headgear to a young Storm fan.
Mr Thurston broke down in tears upon receiving the 2015 Dally M medal as his partner Ms Lynch provided some insight into the importance that the occasion held for him.
"Apart from the birth of our two children [Frankie and Charlie], this is the most emotional I’ve seen him," she told media after the ceremony.
"It's just such a momentous occasion that may not happen again. It probably just hit him."
When asked how much the 2015 title would mean to him, she said: "More than I can explain in words. He would give up this and his other three Dally Ms to win this grand final on Sunday.
Johnathan Thurston (AAP) Source: AAP
"He would trade them all to bring a premiership back to North Queensland.
"I really think he deserves it and I really hope they win."
As it turns out, he didn't need to trade them.
Tell us who you think is the best player in the history of NRL in the comments section below.
