‘Why, why, why?’ asked the former England international as he was overcome with emotion discussing the sad news
Vickery was overcome with emotion as he discussed the devastating news(Image: The Overlap Rugby)
Former England star Phil Vickery broke down in tears as he spoke about his ex-international teammate Lewis Moody in the wake of his devastating Motor Neurone Disease (MND) diagnosis.
Moody – who won 71 caps for England and was part of their 2003 Rugby World Cup-winning side – revealed the diagnosis on Monday, admitting it had come as a “huge shock” to him and his family. In a statement, the 47-year-old former Leicester Tigers flanker said processing the news was “incredibly hard” but he vowed to “continue to embrace life” with the support of family and friends.
MND, also known as ALS, is a neurological condition that affects motor nerves in the brain and spinal cord, causing muscle weakness, stiffness and paralysis as it progresses, affecting a person’s ability to walk, talk, breathe and swallow.
While treatment can slow the disease’s progression, there is currently no cure and one-third of sufferers die within a year of diagnosis, with more than half dying within two years, according to the MND Association. In recent years, it has tragically claimed the lives of former Scotland and British & Irish Lions star Doddie Weir and rugby league icon Rob Burrow.
Discussing Moody’s heartbreaking news on the latest Stick to Rugby podcast episode, Vickery – who lifted the World Cup alongside him 22 years ago – was overcome with emotion as he paid tribute to his former teammate.
Moody announced his MND diagnosis earlier this week
“You just can’t describe it, really,” he said. “I think we’re all ultra sensitive as well, in rugby, with [ex-Leicester Tigers and Gloucester forward], Ed Slater, Doddie, Rob Burrow and [late England international] Paul Rendall. When I spoke to him last week and he told me, I just couldn’t believe it.
“The frustation of it always is, particularly for Lewis, I can honestly say I don’t know another kinder, generous, honest, loving human being than that. Why, why, why him?”
Vickery was joined by ex-Wales internationals Scott Quinnell and Tom Shanklin, with the former saying: “The thing is, with Lewis, we know that he won’t be thinking about himself. He’ll be thinking about his family won’t he? And his friends, he’s that type of guy.”
“If anybody’s going to fight it,” Quinnell continued. “We saw with Rob and Doddie, I’ve never seen anybody fight it like those two, and he’s going to be exactly the same. Our thoughts and love are with them all.”
Shanklin added: “Nobody is braver than that boy, let me tell you. The support around him will be absolutely huge,” before asking Vickery for his favourite memory of Moody.
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“I can’t think of particularly one memory,” said Vickery, choking up. “Because he’s such a bloody donut. I suppose for me, I go back to 2007, the Rugby World Cup in Marseille and he led the team because it was his 50th cap…”
The former England tighthead was then overcome with emotion as his voice trembled and he wiped away tears, saying: “I said I wouldn’t f***Ing cry. I thought I was all cried out.”
Reaching out from the back seat to comfort Vickery, Quinnell put his hand on his co-host’s shoulder and said: “It’s alright, it’s alright to cry, my friend.”
As he fought to carry on, Vickery said: “He’s just such a brave person, one of those people that would do anything for his team. Everyone loves him, he’s a good boy.
“He said to me, because he’s caught it so early – which is amazing – he doesn’t feel any different. He’s trying to process it all with his family, but he doesn’t feel any different. He’s in a really good space as far as where he’s at at the moment, he knows how much he’s loved, he knows that support will be there for him and we just need to make sure that we are there, which we will be, for Annie and the boys and his family.
“So, just keep being positive about it,” he added. “Keep hoping the girls and boys who are researching are moving forward and making breakthroughs, because of all the great work everyone’s doing so far in fundraising. We just have to keep pushing that forward and just be there.
“You know what, boys? You think we’ve got our own little problems and we’re all fighting our own little battles and stuff, but it kind of puts everything into perspective. But we’re lucky, we’re part of an awesome game, a brilliant game and we will all dig in, I know we will.”