Football world pays tribute as Bradley loses fight
Heartbroken stars Defoe, Lineker and Shearer all pay tribute to boy who inspired fans in cancer battle
HIS BATTLE against cancer captured the hearts of wellwishers around the world, and saw a close friendship blossom with his footballing hero Jermain Defoe.
And as the heartbreaking news emerged yesterday that Bradley Lowery had lost his fight against a rare childhood form of the disease, the world of football paid tribute to the six-year-old.
Stars including ex-England captains Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer shared their sorrow at the loss of the young Sunderland fan, whose remarkable friendship with star striker Defoe touched thousands of people.
He died at home in Blackhall in County Durham in his parents’ arms yesterday, surrounded by his family.
In a statement published on the family’s Facebook page, his mother, Gemma Lowery, said: “He was our little superhero and put the biggest fight up but he was needed elsewhere.
“There are no words to describe how heartbroken we are. Thank you everyone for all your support and kind words. Sleep tight baby boy and fly high with them angels.”
Bradley and Defoe were pictured snuggled up together at the youngster’s home last week after the boy had a party in bed as a way of saying goodbye.
The day before he died, Defoe paid a tearful tribute at a news conference with his new club, Bournemouth, saying: “There is not a day that goes past where I do not wake up in the morning and check my phone or think about little Bradley because his love is genuine and I can see it in his eyes. It is special.”
Last month, Bradley travelled with his family to Scarborough and was the guest of honour as 30,000 people turned out for the town’s celebrations for the national Armed Forces Day.
But the short visit to the North Yorkshire resort came less than a fortnight before he was to lose his battle against neuroblastoma.
Sunderland said yesterday that Defoe was “heartbroken” at learning of the news.
Bradley was a mascot for the club several times last season and found a place in the hearts of thousands of football fans around the world.
The club said he was an “inspiration” and expressed its love to his mother, father Carl and brother Kieran.
Sunderland AFC said: “Bradley captured the hearts and minds of everyone at our club with his indomitable spirit, tremendous courage and beautiful smile, which could light up even the darkest of rooms.”
Supporters of different clubs made banners and chanted his name at games, and Bradley was
There are no words to describe how heartbroken we are. Bradley’s mother, Gemma Lowery’s statement on the family’s Facebook page.
an England mascot at Wembley when Defoe scored on his return to the Three Lions side.
The striker was also guest of honour at a huge party thrown for Bradley’s sixth birthday in May. Supporters had hoped a massive fundraising effort last year could get him to the US for pioneering treatment for the childhood cancer neuroblastoma, but his heartbroken family announced at Christmas that his cancer was terminal.
They kept his many wellwishers around the world up to date by using social media and in his final days, his mother revealed that Bradley’s health was deteriorating quickly.
Former England striker Lineker, who hosted the Sports
Personality Of The Year awards at which Bradley was a special guest last year, said Bradley was a “warrior and an inspiration to the end”.
Jordan Pickford, who played in goal for Sunderland in the past season, posted on Instagram: “Rest in peace Bradley Lowery, such an inspiration to us all #theresonlyone.”
And former Arsenal and England striker Ian Wright praised the Lowery family, telling them: “God bless you, you’ve done a magnificent job through the plight of your brave boy to bring awareness to this disease. May he rest in peace. X” Ex-England captain and Match
Of The Day pundit Alan Shearer also tweeted: “An inspirational life cut way too short. Thoughts with his amazing family & friends RIP.”