Gentle giant who inspired a nation
Tributes as rugby and charity legend Doddie Weir dies aged 52
SENIOR Royals last night led tributes to Scottish rugby legend Doddie Weir, who has died at the age of 52 after a brave and inspiring six-year battle with motor neurone disease.
The father of-three was capped 61 times between 1990 and 2000 and was famed as a stalwart player during a career where he also won six Scottish club championships.
He became equally well known for his outstanding charity endeavours, leading the fight against motor neurone disease (MND) – his My Name’5 Doddie foundation raised more than £8 million in just five years.
Princess Anne, The Princess Royal, who is patron of Scottish MND and of Scottish Rugby, said: ‘What a sad day. Doddie Weir will be greatly missed.
‘He was truly larger than life, determined, generous and humble. He transformed people’s understanding of MND and funding for research. I am so grateful to him and his family for their unselfishness in sharing their experiences. My thoughts and prayers go out to all of his family.’
Her sentiments were echoed by the Prince and Princess of Wales. In a personally signed tweet, William and Kate wrote: ‘Doddie Weir was a hero – we are so sad to hear of his passing. His immense talent on the pitch as well as his tireless efforts to raise awareness of MND were an inspiration.’
Weir’s wife, Kathy, said in a statement issued via Scottish
Rugby: ‘Whether working together on the farm, on holiday, or celebrating occasions with wider family and friends, Doddie was always in the thick of it.
‘We are lucky to have shared our lives with him and we cherish all those memories: his love and warmth, his support and advice, his quick wit, and his terrible jokes.
‘Doddie was an inspirational force of nature. He put the same energy and even more love and fun into our lives together: he was a true family man. MND took so much from Doddie, but never his spirit and determination.
‘It is difficult to put into words how much we will miss him.’
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: ‘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.’
Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross said: ‘So sad to hear of Doddie Weir’s passing. Doddie was a colossus on the pitch and his brave fight for a cure for MND was an inspiration’, while Jill Douglas, chief executive of the My Name’5 Doddie foundation, added: ‘Doddie enjoyed a life full of fun and love. And it was this approach which shone through in his determination to make a difference and help others. He inspired us every day with his positivity and energy.’
Former Scotland captain Andy Nicol, a columnist with The Scottish Daily Mail, said he was ‘broken with this news’.
There were also hundreds of heartfelt tributes on social media, with one fan stating: ‘What a man’, another describing him as an ‘absolute hero’ and others hailing a ‘magnificent player and a magnificent person’.
His passing was felt across the sporting world, with the Scottish Football Association adding: ‘Doddie was an icon of Scottish sport. His contribution on the field is matched by his incredible impact in raising money and awareness for MND.’
The Edinburgh-born lock played for Stewart’s Melville and Melrose, where he won six Scottish championships, before turning out for Newcastle and Border Reivers in the professional era.
He gained his first Scotland cap against Argentina in November 1990. A lineout specialist, he scored four international tries in his career, including two against the All Blacks in a quarter-final loss at the 1995 World Cup.
He was selected for the British and Irish Lions in 1997 but his tour of South Africa was cut short by injury. Legendary commentator Bill McLaren once described him during one of his surging runs as being ‘on the charge like a mad giraffe’.
Weir announced his MND diagnosis in 2017 and set up his foundation the same year. Despite his incurable illness he maintained good spirits.
Just this month he was given a rapturous ovation from a 67,000 crowd at Murrayfield when he delivered the ball before Scotland kicked off against New Zealand.
Weir was awarded an OBE in 2019 for services to rugby, MND
‘I’ve had a good life. I’m still having a good life’
research and his beloved Borders community.
He was also honoured with the Helen Rollason Award for outstanding achievement in the face of adversity at the 2019 BBC Sports Personality of the Year ceremony.
Last year, Doddie told how he maintained a positive outlook. He said: ‘I’ve had a good life, I’m still having a good life. I am blessed. I have a fantastic family and friends round me all making my life better. Who could ask for more?’
Scottish Rugby said in a statement last night: ‘We are devastated to hear of the passing of Doddie Weir.
‘A Scotland legend, his determination to raise awareness and help find a cure for MND epitomised his personality.’