Doddie Weir 1970-2022: Legendary Scots rugby hero who became a colossus both on and off the pitch
THE suffering is over.
Yet Doddie Weir’s remarkable legacy will live on forever.
After a heroic six-year battle with motor neurone disease, the 52-year-old died today.
Quite simply, he was a great man.
A colossus both on and off the pitch – a lesson in humanity and humility to the very last.
When life dealt him and his family the cruellest of hands, not once did he complain.
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Not once did he feel sorry for himself.
Instead, Doddie set about making sure the world was a more comfortable place for those destined to follow him.
Given his devastating diagnosis in 2016, Doddie immediately vowed to meet this horrible disease head on.
He did that and then some.
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In the six years that followed the former Scotland international would raise almost £10million through his My Name’5 Doddie foundation.
In terms of raising awareness, his tireless efforts were priceless.
Doddie had an unbelievable zest for life, something that never left him.
To be around him was one of life’s pleasures. Funny, warm and engaging, he had a fantastic sense of humour.
Weir was capped 61 times for Scotland between 1990 and 2000.
Born in Edinburgh, he played for Stewart’s Melville and Melrose, where he won six championships.
In the professional era, he starred for Newcastle and Border Reivers.
He won his first Scotland cap against Argentina in November 1990.
A lineout specialist, he would go on to score four international tries – including two against New Zealand in a quarter-final defeat at the 1995 World Cup.
He was selected for the British and Irish Lions in 1997, but his tour of South Africa was ended prematurely by injury.
Legendary BBC commentator Bill McLaren once famously said Doddie was “on the charge life a mad giraffe” in a match against Wales.
He was a gifted rugby player and in 2019 his services to the sport, along with that to MND research and to the Borders community, were recognised with an OBE.
Really, it should have been a Knighthood.
After all, this incredible man – an inspiration to people around the world – was still doing interviews five years after his diagnosis.
He was still campaigning and, in his own words, “still living and still smiling.”
Just two weeks ago, he was wheeled out onto the pitch by his sons Hamish, Angus and Ben.
Five years before, he’d walked out to deliver the match ball.
On both occasions the All Blacks were in town, and on both occasions there wasn’t a dry eye in the house.
The atmosphere inside Murrayfield a fortnight ago was a mix of happiness, sadness and wonder.
Here was this remarkable man still fighting this disease with such dignity and bravery.
Doddie won 33 of his 61 caps at Murrayfield.
He scored his first international try there and played in a World Cup semi-final there.
Yet many believe his most memorable appearance was his last.
No one can imagine the effort it must have taken for him just to be there.
That said, few have met a character like Doddie Weir before.
He is survived by his wife Kathy and their three sons.
In a fitting tribute, Kathy said: “Doddie was an inspirational force of nature
“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. It is difficult to put into words how much we will miss him.
“MND took so much from Doddie, but never his spirit and determination.
“He battled MND so bravely, and whilst his own battle may be over, his fight continues through his foundation, until a cure is found for all those with this devastating disease.”
God bless you Doddie.
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