England’s Lewis Moody, a World Cup champion, spectated his son’s national team match shortly after revealing his motor neurone disease diagnosis. The ex-England skipper shared the heartbreaking news in an interview less than a week ago.
Moody, part of the iconic 2003 World Cup-winning squad, expressed his reluctance to fully comprehend the implications of his diagnosis following the deaths of rugby stars Doddie Weir and Rob Burrow to MND. The 47-year-old initially noticed shoulder weakness at the gym, leading to scans uncovering nerve damage in his brain and spinal cord due to MND.
His son Dylan, a 17-year-old goalkeeper, recently signed a professional contract with Southampton and made his England debut in September. Dylan played in England’s U18 1-0 victory over France at St George’s Park, with former players’ sons Matthew Upson’s Elijah and Emile Heskey’s Reigan also on the team. Moody Sr praised his son on Instagram, expressing pride and admiration.
Despite his diagnosis, Moody remains optimistic, mentioning minimal discomfort and a desire to maintain a normal life for as long as possible. He acknowledged the underlying fear of an uncertain future, emphasizing his current well-being despite the emotional weight of the situation.
Reflecting on his condition, Moody articulated his reluctance to face the future’s reality, recognizing the challenges ahead but choosing to focus on the present moment.