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Post by Carl LaFong on Nov 26, 2022 17:37:06 GMT
Former Scotland rugby union international Doddie Weir has died at the age of 52, six years after being diagnosed with motor neurone disease. Weir, capped 61 times between 1990 and 2000, went on to raise millions through his My Name'5 Doddie foundation following his diagnosis in 2016. The lock was given an OBE in 2019 for services to rugby, to MND research and to the Borders community. He is survived by his wife Kathy and sons Hamish, Angus and Ben. "Doddie was an inspirational force of nature," said the Weir family. "We are lucky to have shared our lives with him and we cherish all those memories: his love and warmth, his support and advice, his quick wit, and his terrible jokes. It is difficult to put into words how much we will miss him. "MND took so much from Doddie, but never his spirit and determination. He battled MND so bravely, and whilst his own battle may be over, his fight continues through his foundation, until a cure is found for all those with this devastating disease. "Hamish, Angus, Ben and I would like to thank everyone for your support and for respecting our privacy at this difficult time." Born in Edinburgh, Weir played for Stewart's Melville and Montrose, where he won six championships, before turning out for Newcastle and Border Reivers in the professional era. His first Scotland cap came against Argentina in November 1990. A lineout specialist, he scored four international tries across his career, including two against New Zealand in a quarter-final loss at the 1995 World Cup. Famously described as being "on the charge like a mad giraffe" by commentator Bill McLaren, he was selected for the British and Irish Lions in 1997 but his tour of South Africa was ended prematurely by injury. Earlier this month, he appeared at Murrayfield with the match ball before Scotland kicked off against New Zealand, receiving a rapturous welcome from the capacity crowd. It mirrored the emotional on-pitch appearance he made with his three sons against the same opponents in autumn 2017. Weir was honoured with the Helen Rollason Award at the 2019 BBC Sports Personality of the Year. www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/63768331Crying shame.
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Post by Carl LaFong on Nov 26, 2022 17:38:21 GMT
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Post by Carl LaFong on Nov 26, 2022 20:31:44 GMT
Nice tribute from Brian Habana at h/t in Twickenham where SA easily beat England (27-13)
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Post by politicidal on Nov 27, 2022 1:27:11 GMT
R.I.P.
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Post by petrolino on Nov 27, 2022 1:49:05 GMT
I was devastated when musician Kim Shattuck was lost to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in 2019, at the age of 56. Such a cruel condition, often affecting people who were so full of energy and life.
I know Kevin Sinfield's been doing incredible work on the ground to raise money and awareness for care and further research in to the disease. Shattuck's friends, fellow musicians and former bandmates have been doing this too in California. I don't follow club rugby but had heard about Doddie Weir's condition - may he rest in peace.
R.I.P.
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