Masoe aims to spread hope

Kiwi rugby league prop Mose Masoe has pledged to help others by sharing the story of his recovery from a serious spinal injury. The 31-year-old’s career was ended when he damaged two vertebrae while making a routine tackle during a Super League trial match for Hull KR in January and was told he was likely to spend the rest of his life in a wheelchair. The Wellington-born forward spent the next two months in a specialist spinal unit at hospital in Wakefield, England, but due to the coronavirus outbreak he had to return home to continue his recovery. In midMay, the seven-cap Samoa international took his first unaided steps since that fateful afternoon when he walked to his kitchen in what was the latest landmark on his road to recovery. Now, Masoe is determined to spread hope among other injured players. ‘‘I look back at my injury and it was me doing something I love,’’ he said. ‘‘I love this game and was grateful to play it for 12 years. I’ve learnt a lot in the last six months since I had the injury and it would be nice to share a bit of my story and tell them it’s going to be all right.’’

Former NFL wide receiver Reche Caldwell was shot and killed on Sunday in an attempted robbery, his girlfriend and mother said. A ‘‘couple of people’’ jumped from the bushes and ‘‘ambushed’’ Caldwell, his girlfriend said, as he went back inside his home to grab a jacket before the two went out on a date. His mother said the 41-year-old Caldwell, who was shot in the leg and chest, died in the ambulance taking him to the hospital. The University of Florida and New England Patriots, for whom he played, shared the news of Caldwell’s death on Twitter. Caldwell also played for the San Diego Chargers and the Washington Redskins.