Jai Arrow has been honoured by two of his former clubs, South Sydney and Brisbane, in an emotional pre-game tribute on Thursday night.
After announcing his medical retirement and motor neurone disease diagnosis last month, the 30-year-old was a special guest at Accor Stadium.
Jai Arrow with his partner and daughter before the game Nine
Both teams wore special jerseys – the Rabbitohs in a fully white strip with his name on the back and the Broncos also donning his name and number.
The rival teams walked out together, led by captains Adam Reynolds and Cody Walker, who are both close mates of Arrow from their time together at Redfern.
Players from both teams then lined up in a guard of honour before Arrow walked out alongside his partner Berina and young daughter Ayla.
Arrow had tears in his eyes, clearly overcome with emotion, as he made his way out before ringing the Rabbitohs’ legacy bell.
“Hardly a dry eye in the house,” Peter Psaltis said on Nine.
He then posed for a photo with both Reynolds and Walker before kick off.
Prior to the ceremony, Arrow spoke to Nine’s Danika Mason about the outpouring of support, not only from those two teams but the wider NRL community.
“It’s very surreal,” the former Maroons star said.
“I never anticipated any of this and truly, from the bottom of my heart, this means the world to me. I didn’t think that many people liked me.
“I’m just very grateful for my family and everyone that’s been a part of it.
“It is what it is. I’ve got a fight on my hands and I will fight.”
Arrow played 178 first grade games for the Broncos, Titans and Rabbitohs, as well as making 12 appearances at State of Origin level for Queensland.
Earlier this week, Arrow tossed the coin at the AFL Big Freeze game, which has been a yearly tribute to Neale Daniher, who died after a lengthy MND battle.
Jai Arrow tosses the coin at the MCG. AFL Photos via Getty Images
Souths opened the scoring through Edward Kosi before try-scoring legend Alex Johnston made it a 12-0 lead for the hosts mid-way through the first half.
David Fifita extended the margin before Johnston bagged his double, with the Broncos left searching for answers and staring down six-straight losses.
Jamie Humphreys completed a stunning first-half onslaught as the cardinal and myrtle went into the sheds with a 30-0 buffer.
“They are embarrassing at the moment the Broncos,” Brad Fittler said.