True legacy of Doddie’s giant heart
IF FOOTBALL is a gentleman’s game played by hooligans, and rugby is a hooligans’ game played by gentlemen, then one of the sport’s greatest gentlemen was Doddie Weir, the Scotland and British and Irish Lions legend.
At 6 ft 6 in, a perfect size for a lock forward, he started his career while it was still an amateur sport. His pure love of the game saw him playing for Melrose until he turned professional for Newcastle Falcons and then Borders. A real gentle giant, his character shone out. His description as ‘a mad giraffe’ by Bill McLaren, the voice of Scottish rugby, added to his popularity, as did his trademark tartan suits. Doddie conducted his battle with motor neurone disease bravely and with dignity.
His awareness campaign did so much to bring this awful, debilitating illness to public attention. This big bear of a man spoke so eloquently about his illness.
As well as an OBE, his campaigning was recognised by the Helen Rollason Award at 2019’s BBC Sports Personality of the Year. The loving response from the audience brought tears to the eyes. Presenter Gabby Logan, who knew him well through her rugby-playing husband Kenny, could not hold back her emotions. Doddie’s legacy is his family and the millions he raised for charity. What a man.
DAVID PATRICK MOORE, Beckenham, Gtr London. A FITTING way to mark the sad passing of the stoically brave and wonderfully humble Doddie Weir would be for the Government to finally commit to granting £50 million for research into finding a cure for motor neurone disease.
MIKE HOLMES, Sheringham, Norfolk. NICOLA STURGEON paid her condolences to Doddie’s grieving family. Wouldn’t it be a fine tribute to pass on the millions she had earmarked for the non-starter second independence referendum for motor neurone disease research?
JOHN ALLARDYCE, Falkirk. TRIBUTES to Doddie Weir highlighted how he was crucial in getting the various centres researching motor neurone disease to work together. It’s incredible that it took a plainspeaking rugby player to show the scientists a bit of common sense. Good on you, Doddie!