Former Scottish rugby worldwide Doddie Weir has died on the age of 52 after a protracted battle with Motor Neurone Disease (MND), his household introduced Sunday.
Weir, who received 61 caps for his nation and was chosen for the British and Irish Lions Tour to South Africa in 1997, was recognized with MND in 2016.
He went on to arrange the “My Name’5 Doddie” basis, which has raised £8 million ($9.7 million) to battle the illness.
“It is with great sadness that we announce the death of our beloved husband and father, Doddie,” stated an announcement from his spouse Kathy Weir, revealed on the Scottish Rugby Union (SRU) web site.
“Doddie was an inspirational force of nature. His unending energy and drive, and his strength of character powered him through his rugby and business careers and, we believe, enabled him to fight the effects of MND for so many years.”
Surrounded by his household, Weir took the sector at Murrayfield simply two weeks in the past earlier than Scotland’s Autumn International towards New Zealand to current the match ball.
Scotland captain Jamie Ritchie described that second as considered one of his most significant in his rugby profession.
“I do not have the words to describe how inspirational he is to us,” Ritchie tweeted.
“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,” added the household’s assertion.
John Jeffrey, the chairman of Scottish Rugby and former teammate of Weir paid tribute to each the participant and the person.
“Doddie was ahead of his time as a ball playing second row and for almost a decade he was one of the first names on the Scotland team sheet. He was a great team mate on the pitch and an even greater team mate off the pitch,” stated Jeffrey in a SRU assertion.
“For all that Doddie achieved as a rugby player, his name is associated worldwide with the battle to find a cure for MND.
“For the last six years, Doddie and Kathy have dedicated themselves to not only finding a cure for MND but also caring for fellow sufferers. He raised literally millions for his foundation but, more importantly, raised awareness globally as he courageously battled this cruel disease, and always with a smile on his face.”
There was a minute’s applause in honour of Weir when news of his dying was introduced at half-time of England’s Autumn worldwide defeat to South Africa at Twickenham.
Tributes from past the sporting world poured in for a participant famed for his charisma and outlandish gown sense.
Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon tweeted: “This is so terribly sad. Doddie was one of our nation’s sporting legends, but the brave way he responded to MND surpassed anything ever achieved on the rugby pitch.
“He refused to let it dim his spirit and did so much to help others. My condolences to his loved ones.”