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Remembering Doddie Weir: 'A literal and metaphorical giant'

5 Jun 1998: Doddie Weir of Scotland during a training session at Murrayfield in Edinburgh, Scotland - David Rogers/Getty Images Europe
5 Jun 1998: Doddie Weir of Scotland during a training session at Murrayfield in Edinburgh, Scotland - David Rogers/Getty Images Europe

Former Scotland legend and Telegraph Sport columnist Doddie Weir OBE has died at the age of 52 after a five-year struggle with Motor Neurone Disease.

Weir won 61 caps for Scotland in the second row between 1990 and 2000 and, following his diagnosis in 2016, went on to raise millions through his My Name'5 Doddie foundation.

Telegraph readers have joined the rest of the rugby world in sharing their tributes. We would like to invite you to share your memories of the former Scotland and Lions legend, his lifetime playing rugby and his tireless fight for greater research and funding into MND in the comments section of this article.


'Simply inspirational'

@David Braddock: "The bravery of people like this, in the face of such a cruel and terrible disease, is simply inspirational. A man who will be remembered for so many things both on and off the rugby pitch."

'Doddie stood out as a beacon'

@Tony Houghton: "Really sad to hear the news of Doddie’s passing. When so many sportsmen in retirement seek reward and recognition, Doddie stood out as a beacon drawing our attention and awareness of the cruel illness that is MND. He sought no personal recognition and always deflected any attention toward fundraising so that the future might look better for others.

Rest in peace, Doddie."

'When he was born someone threw away the mould'

@R McKinney: "A fine man and an example to all. When he was born someone threw away the mould. We’ll not see his like again. There’ll be tears in Melrose tonight. RIP Doddie."

'A mighty oak has fallen'

@Kirsty Hammerle: "RIP Doddie Weir. I hope this brings funding to investigate the correlation between MND and rugby. A mighty oak has fallen."

'Doddie will always find himself seated at the top table'

@John Dorman: "As a New Zealander, I can truthfully say that we allow a mere handful of non-All Blacks into the inner pantheon of immortals who played the game. For us, Doddie Weir will always find himself seated at the top table."

'A hugely underrated player but never as a man'

@Jacqui Jay: A great servant to all the teams he represented, and, in my view, hugely underrated as a player but never as a man. Rest in peace.

'A literal and metaphorical giant'

@Daniel Westin: "I feel strangely unprepared for this awful news. I had grown used to the idea that he would simply battle on indefinitely. Desperately sad that such a literal and metaphorical giant of a man, has been stolen from his family by such an awful disease. My thoughts are with them."

'I’m grateful for the friendship and support you have given to Rob Burrows'

@Suzanne Charlotte: "RIP Doddie. The awareness you’ve helped raise for this terrible illness has been outstanding and I’m grateful for the friendship and support you have given to Rob Burrows. That friendship and awareness will live on with all of us who have followed your gang on this journey, I hope it leads to a great breakthrough in your memory."

'His legend will live on'

@Daniel Harrison: "The world is definitely a poorer place without Doddie - he never pitied himself and indeed propelled his spirit to new heights despite such an awful disease. His legend will live on, condolences from this part of the rugby world (Texas)."

'A truly brilliant man'

@Richard Oliver: "I would like to mention the work that Doddie did at the Falcons as the post match compere in the West Stand. He did this after his retirement right up until the time the disease took hold.

"I have so many happy memories of him taking the mick out of whoever the (Falcons) man of the match was. There was also the inevitable panto moment when he mentioned ‘the mighty Scotland’ during his routine.

"Some of my favourite moments were when Wilkinson had won man of the match and his role was to try and play cheeky straight man to Doddie. They were a great double act!

"So, so sad. He was a truly brilliant man."

'He made us both feel a million dollars'

@Robin Birkett: "My wife and I were in Doddie’s company after a Falcons game. He was more than greatly entertaining, he made us both feel a million dollars. A great player and a fantastic man. God bless."


Share your own tributes to Doddie Weir in the comments below