Rio: Mummy you were my light
Ex-manchester United captain in tribute after tragic cancer death
FORMER Man United captain Rio Ferdinand has paid a heartbreaking tribute to the mum who helped him through his wife’s death.
Janice, 58, passed away this week after a battle against cancer.
In a post addressed simply “Mummy”, Rio, 38, wrote: “At my most difficult time, you made it your mission to be there for me & my kids. From school runs to homework to making them smile… to starting horse riding… they will always remember.”
Rio’s wife Rebecca died of cancer, aged 34, in 2015 – leaving him to bring up three young children alone. Paying tribute to his mum as “my shining light”, he said he could not have raised Lorenz, 10, Tate, eight, and Tia, six, without her. Rio, who is dating ex-towie star Kate Wright, 25, added: “All I ever wanted was to make you proud and I must of got somewhere near…
“Your chest was puffed as big as anyone’s whenever my name was mentioned or when you was in a stadium watching me play.”
Brother Anton, 32, also paid his respects to the woman he described as “caring and forever selfless”.
john.kelly@trinitymirror.com