Lewis Moody: English Rugby Legend Reveals ALS (MND) Diagnosis

Former England captain Lewis Moody revealed on Monday that he has been diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), also known as Motor Neuron Disease (MND). Moody, 47, retired from rugby in 2012 after an illustrious 16-year career, during which he represented Leicester Tigers, Bath, England and the British and Irish Lions. The former flanker won almost all available trophies and played in some of the most important matches in the sport.

A Look Back at Lewis Moody’s Career

Lewis Moody ended his playing career with the Bath team. Moody was born on June 12, 1978 in Ascot and started playing rugby at the age of five in Bracknell, a team he represented until the age of 12. He attended the prestigious Oakham rugby school, whose pupils include England internationals Jack van Poortvliet and Tom Croft, as well as Hamish Watson of Scotland and Welsh fly-half Sam Costelow. While a student there, Moody initially played as center and then as defense. He joined the Leicester Tigers academy, where he moved to the back row and became a flanker.

He quickly caused a sensation in Leicester and became the youngest player to represent the club in the league in 1996, at 18 years and 94 days old, a record now held by Ben Youngs. Moody became a mainstay at Welford Road and represented the club 217 times, the most for a flanker, before spending his final two years at Bath. He made his debut for England in 2001 against Canada and became an integral part of the World Cup-winning team in 2003. Moody also represented the British and Irish Lions on the 2005 tour to New Zealand.

Lewis Moody represented the British and Irish Lions three times against New Zealand.

Moody’s Achievements

Moody was at Leicester during their glory years and participated in seven Premiership victories, including winning four consecutive titles between 1999 and 2002. The Tigers also won consecutive European titles in 2001 and 2002, and Moody also participated in the team that won the Anglo-Welsh Cup in 2007.

Lewis Moody celebrates victory in the 2003 Rugby World Cup with his England teammates. He won 71 matches for England, winning two Six Nations titles, including the Grand Slam in 2003. Moody played in all seven matches as England made history by winning the 2003 Rugby World Cup, winning the decisive lineout before Jonny Wilkinson’s winning drop goal in the final and receiving an MBE in 2004. Played in all three matches of the 2005 Lions series in New Zealand. In 2007, Moody became actively involved in England again when they reached the final of the 2007 World Cup, and ended his career as England captain in the 2011 Rugby World Cup, before retiring from all forms of the game a year later.

Lewis Moody captained England in the 2011 Rugby World Cup.

Moody’s Characteristics as a Player

Having debuted at 18 against Orrell, few would have predicted what Moody’s career would be like.

Recalling his debut with The Independent in 2002, Moody said:

It was quite terrifying.

Lewis Moody

“They all seemed huge, they thought, ‘who the hell is this young specimen?’ He weighed about 13 stones at the time and they treated me like a rag doll. It was much harder than I thought, and it taught me a lot.”

Lewis Moody shows his bravery while attempting a charge against Argentina in 2009. Moody became a fearless and uncompromising flanker, and developed the nickname “Mad Dog” for his commitment to the club and country’s cause. Moody’s passion for the game was unsurpassed, which was evident when he played with a stress fracture in his leg while at Leicester. He also recovered quickly from a nasty ankle fracture, playing the full 80 minutes in his first game back just three months later. The flanker would never back down from any challenge, perhaps best demonstrated when Moody became the first English player to be sent off at Twickenham after getting into a vicious fight with his Leicester teammate, Alesana Tuilagi, in the victory over Samoa.

Lewis Moody became the first English player to be sent off at Twickenham after his fight with Alesana Tuilagi at Twickenham in November 2005.

What has Moody done since he retired?

After retiring as a player in March 2012, Moody created the Lewis Moody Foundation in 2014, a charity that helps fight brain tumors with research, support, and education. Moody’s legacy in the field has continued with his son Dylan, who is a promising goalkeeper with Southampton under-18s and has represented England under-18s.

Lewis Moody holds the Web Ellis Cup during England’s 2003 World Cup reunion at Twickenham.

What is the ENM?

Motor neuron disease causes muscle weakness that progressively worsens over months or years. The messages from the motor neurons in the spinal cord and brain gradually stop reaching the muscles, causing them to weaken, become rigid, and atrophy. There is currently no cure for ALS, but treatments can help manage symptoms for as long as possible. The disease usually develops from the age of 50. People with MND have a reduced life expectancy. Rugby players Doddie Weir and Rob Burrow died after being diagnosed with the disease in recent years.

What are the symptoms?

The first symptoms include stiff or weak hands: people may have trouble holding or grasping things. Other signs include weak legs and feet. This can cause problems when tripping, lifting your feet, or climbing stairs, for example. People may also experience spasms, twitches, or painful muscle cramps; late signs of ALS include problems with breathing, swallowing, and speech. Approximately half of the people with ME/CFS experience changes in their thinking and behavior.

How is ALS diagnosed?

Neurologists often diagnose ALS after a general practitioner refers a patient. Tests that help diagnose ALS include blood tests, nerve tests, and MRIs. The symptoms of ME/CFS can progress at different speeds, which can make it difficult to diagnose the disease.

How many people are affected and are there different types of ENM?

The CJD affects up to 5,000 adults in the UK at any one time. Overall, there is a one in 300 risk of contracting CJD over a person’s lifetime. Different forms of MND affect people in different ways. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is the most common form of MND, which causes weakness and atrophy in the limbs, muscle stiffness, and cramps. The first symptoms often include stumbling or dropping things. The onset of bulbar MND or progressive bulbar palsy (PBP) primarily affects the muscles of the face, throat, and tongue, and the first signs include slurring words or difficulty swallowing. Progressive muscular atrophy (PMA) affects fewer people, while primary lateral sclerosis (PLS) is a rare form of MND.

What has Moody said?

After revealing his diagnosis in an interview with the BBC, Moody said on social media:

I am writing to share some difficult news.

Lewis Moody

“I was recently diagnosed with ALS, also known as motor neuron disease. This has been incredibly difficult to process and a big surprise for me and my family. I feel fit and well and focus on staying positive, living life, and dealing with the changes I will experience as they come. I am well supported by my family, friends, and medical professionals. Since I retired from the sport I love and alongside my wife Annie, I have been able to dedicate a large part of the last 12 years to raising funds for the Lewis Moody Foundation in support of people affected by brain tumors. My plan is to continue with this, but also to create an opportunity to support a charity closer to my current situation. I will continue to embrace life and seize its opportunities in the same way I always have.”