Lewis Moody leaves former team-mate in tears with touching speech after MND diagnosis
Former England captain Lewis Moody spoke passionately in front of thousands at Welford Road as he referenced the embrace of the rugby world following his MND diagnosis
Lewis Moody told fans that he has been 'embraced' by the world of rugby in his first public appearance since his MND diagnosis. The former England star returned to Welford Road, home of his former club Leicester Tigers, to see their 22-20 victory over Bath.
Moody, 47, received an ovation from fans with his sons Dylan, 17, and Ethan, 15, looking on. Our 2003 World Cup winning captain, Martin Johnson, wiped away tears as Moody told the 17,000 crowd that he would be taking on some charity challenges soon.
He added: "It has been 15 years since I got to set foot on this pitch and this is truly special. It's been a tough few weeks but the love and support I've been shown has been second to none. I feel it deeply.
"I had 15 years at Leicester, and many years before that sat in the stands. Then I got the privilege of going to Bath as well.
"When people ask me who I support, Bath is my home, I've been there 15 years, my son is a mascot there and they love it.
"But Leicester is always my rugby home. Rugby Union is great at times like this. They have their arms around you in an embrace and I certainly feel that love."
Moody paid tribute to charities like the Doddy Weir Foundation, and plans to make an announcement on 'aligning' with a good cause. He said his reception from fans on Saturday was 'just wonderful' and his two sons were looking on 'jealously', wishing that they could be out there on the pitch with him.
On Johnson's tears, he joked: "He must have had a dodgy drink." Moody told of his MND diagnosis earlier this month. He admitted that he had struggled to come to terms with the condition which killed fellow rugby players Doddie Weir and Rob Burrow.
Part of the 2003 Rugby World Cup-winning side, he was diagnosed after seeking help for shoulder pain several weeks ago. He had to tell his sons at the home he shares with his wife Annie, and admitted that it was the 'hardest thing I have ever done'.
Moody had a distinguished rugby union career, coming off the bench to help England win the 2003 World Cup in Australia. He started for England in the 2007 World Cup final defeat before going on to captain the team at the 2011 tournament.
Andrea Pinchen, chief executive at Leicester, where Moody made 223 appearances, said: "Trophies and awards tell you what an incredible player Lewis was, but that is only half the story.
"One minute he's parading around with the World Cup trophy and the following Friday he'd be in the ticket office, answering the phone to supporters if we were really busy and helping sell tickets.
"As an individual, his commitment to his club along with his warmth and passion shone through, which endeared him to team-mates, staff and supporters alike."
Around 50 per cent of people with MND die within two years of being given their diagnosis. In the UK, there are 5,000 adults with MND at any one time. Athletes studied were more likely to develop the condition.
However, there is no evidence to show that sporting injuries are the cause. Instead, it is likely to be a complex mix of genetic and environmental factors, along with random 'damaging events' in cells that are more common with age.
In about 5-10 per cent of cases, known as inherited MND, there is a family history and a known genetic mutation. Experts say MND is really several diseases at the same time, which cause the death of motor neurons or nerve cells.
While there is no cure, treatments are providing some hope. Some people can live for many years with MND; theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking was diagnosed at the age of 22 and lived to 76.
But it kills a third of people within a year. As the nerve cells stop working, swallowing and breathing become more challenging and many people need feeding tubes or breathing apparatus to help them stay alive.
Two studies from 2005 and 2009 showed professional footballers were at increased risk. Durham University found rugby players who had suffered multiple concussions have biological differences that may make them more prone to developing MND.