{"id":54343,"date":"2025-10-18T16:21:15","date_gmt":"2025-10-18T20:21:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/alofokedeportes.com\/en\/sin-categoria\/lewis-moody-english-rugby-legend-reveals-als-mnd-diagnosis-9\/"},"modified":"2025-10-18T16:21:15","modified_gmt":"2025-10-18T20:21:15","slug":"lewis-moody-english-rugby-legend-reveals-als-mnd-diagnosis-9","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/alofokedeportes.com\/en\/rugby\/lewis-moody-english-rugby-legend-reveals-als-mnd-diagnosis-9\/","title":{"rendered":"Lewis Moody: English Rugby Legend Reveals ALS (MND) Diagnosis"},"content":{"rendered":"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).\n\nMoody, 47, retired from rugby in 2012 after an illustrious 16-year career, during which he represented the Leicester Tigers, Bath, England and the British and Irish Lions.\n\nThe former flanker won almost all available trophies and participated in some of the most important matches in the sport.\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">A Look Back at Lewis Moody&#8217;s Career<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/a4.espncdn.com\/combiner\/i?img=%2Fphoto%2F2025%2F1006%2Fr1556385_1296x729_16%2D9.jpg\" alt=\"Lewis Moody\" title=\"\"><figcaption>Lewis Moody termin\u00f3 su carrera como jugador con Bath.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\nBorn on June 12, 1978, in Ascot, Moody started playing rugby at the age of five in Bracknell. He attended the prestigious Oakham rugby school, where he initially played as a center and then as a defender.\n\nHe joined the Leicester Tigers academy, where he became a flanker.\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/a2.espncdn.com\/combiner\/i?img=%2Fphoto%2F2025%2F1006%2Fr1556392_1296x729_16%2D9.jpg\" alt=\"Lewis Moody\" title=\"\"><figcaption>Lewis Moody celebra la victoria de la Copa Heineken de 2001 con sus compa\u00f1eros de Leicester.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n<p>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 played 217 matches for the club, the most for a flanker, before spending his last two years at Bath.<\/p>\n\nHe debuted for England in 2001 against Canada and became an integral part of the World Cup-winning team in 2003. He also represented the British and Irish Lions on the 2005 tour to New Zealand.\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/a1.espncdn.com\/combiner\/i?img=%2Fphoto%2F2025%2F1006%2Fr1556396_1296x729_16%2D9.jpg\" alt=\"Lewis Moody\" title=\"\"><figcaption>Lewis Moody represent\u00f3 a los British and Irish Lions en tres ocasiones contra Nueva Zelanda.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Moody&#8217;s Achievements<\/h2>\n\n\nMoody was part of the Leicester Tigers during their glory years, winning seven Premiership titles, including four consecutive ones 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.\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/a4.espncdn.com\/combiner\/i?img=%2Fphoto%2F2025%2F1006%2Fr1556394_1296x729_16%2D9.jpg\" alt=\"Lewis Moody\" title=\"\"><figcaption>Lewis Moody celebra la victoria de la Copa del Mundo de Rugby 2003 con sus compa\u00f1eros de Inglaterra.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\nWith England, he earned 71 caps, winning two Six Nations titles, including the Grand Slam in 2003. He played in all seven matches when England made history by winning the 2003 Rugby World Cup and was awarded an MBE in 2004.\n\nIn 2007, Moody was again a key figure for England, who reached the final of the 2007 World Cup, and ended his career as England captain at the 2011 Rugby World Cup, before retiring from the sport a year later.\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/a2.espncdn.com\/combiner\/i?img=%2Fphoto%2F2025%2F1006%2Fr1556388_1296x729_16%2D9.jpg\" alt=\"Lewis Moody\" title=\"\"><figcaption>Lewis Moody fue capit\u00e1n de Inglaterra en la Copa del Mundo de Rugby 2011.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Moody&#8217;s Play Style<\/h2>\n\n\nNicknamed &#8220;Mad Dog&#8221; for his commitment, Moody was an intrepid and uncompromising flanker. He played with a stress fracture in his leg and quickly recovered from an ankle injury, playing the full 80 minutes in his first game back.\n\nMoody never backed down from any challenge, as he demonstrated by becoming the first English player to be sent off at Twickenham after a fight with his Leicester teammate, Alesana Tuilagi.\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/a.espncdn.com\/combiner\/i?img=%2Fphoto%2F2025%2F1006%2Fr1556390_1296x729_16%2D9.jpg\" alt=\"Lewis Moody\" title=\"\"><figcaption>Lewis Moody muestra su valent\u00eda al intentar una carga contra Argentina en 2009.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/a2.espncdn.com\/combiner\/i?img=%2Fphoto%2F2025%2F1006%2Fr1556395_1296x729_16%2D9.jpg\" alt=\"Lewis Moody\" title=\"\"><figcaption>Lewis Moody se convirti\u00f3 en el primer jugador ingl\u00e9s en ser expulsado en Twickenham despu\u00e9s de su pelea con Alesana Tuilagi en Twickenham en noviembre de 2005.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">After the withdrawal<\/h2>\n\n\nAfter his retirement in March 2012, Moody created the Lewis Moody Foundation in 2014, a charity that helps fight brain tumors with research, support, and education.\n\nMoody&#8217;s legacy in the field continues with his son Dylan, who is a promising goalkeeper in Southampton&#8217;s under-18 team and has represented England under-18.\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/a2.espncdn.com\/combiner\/i?img=%2Fphoto%2F2025%2F1006%2Fr1556383_1296x729_16%2D9.jpg\" alt=\"Lewis Moody\" title=\"\"><figcaption>Lewis Moody sostiene la Copa Web Ellis durante la reuni\u00f3n de la Copa del Mundo de Inglaterra de 2003 en Twickenham.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What is the ENM?<\/h2>\n\n\nMotor Neuron Disease causes muscle weakness that progressively worsens over the months or years.\n\nThere 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 ALS have a reduced life expectancy.\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Symptoms of ME<\/h2>\n\n\n<p>The first symptoms include stiff or weak hands, problems holding or grasping things, weak legs and feet, which can cause problems when tripping, lifting your feet, or climbing stairs. They may also experience painful muscle spasms or cramps. Later, problems with breathing, swallowing, and speech may arise. Around half of the people with MND experience changes in their thinking and behavior.<\/p>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Diagnosis of the NMD<\/h2>\n\n\nNeurologists usually diagnose MND after a patient is referred by a general practitioner. Tests include blood tests, nerve tests, and MRI scans. Symptoms can progress at different rates, making diagnosis difficult.\n\n<h2>Types and Prevalence of NCDs<\/h2>\n\nThe MND affects around 5,000 adults in the UK at any one time. There is a 1 in 300 risk of contracting MND over a lifetime. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is the most common form, causing weakness and wasting in the limbs, muscle stiffness and cramps.\n\nThe onset of bulbar MND or progressive bulbar palsy (PBP) primarily affects the muscles of the face, throat, and tongue, with early signs such as difficulty speaking or swallowing. Progressive muscular atrophy (PMA) affects fewer people, while primary lateral sclerosis (PLS) is a rare form.\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Statements by Lewis Moody<\/h2>\n\n\nAfter revealing his diagnosis, Moody said on social media:\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>I am writing to share some difficult news.<\/p><cite>Lewis Moody<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>I have recently been diagnosed with ALS, also known as Motor Neuron Disease.<\/p><cite>Lewis Moody<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>This has been incredibly difficult to process and a great shock to me and my family.<\/p><cite>Lewis Moody<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>I feel fit and well and focus on staying positive, living life and dealing with the changes I will experience as they come.<\/p><cite>Lewis Moody<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\nMoody added that he is receiving good support from his family, friends, and medical professionals.\n\nAlso, he plans to continue supporting his foundation and create an opportunity to support a charity closer to his current situation.\n\nMoody concluded by saying that he will continue to embrace life and take advantage of opportunities in the same way he always has.","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>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 the Leicester Tigers, Bath, England and the British and Irish Lions. The former flanker [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[40],"tags":[509,9570,9587,203],"class_list":{"0":"post-54343","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-rugby","7":"tag-england","8":"tag-lewis-moody","9":"tag-motor-neurone-disease","10":"tag-rugby"},"amp_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/alofokedeportes.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/54343","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/alofokedeportes.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/alofokedeportes.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alofokedeportes.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alofokedeportes.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=54343"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/alofokedeportes.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/54343\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/alofokedeportes.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=54343"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alofokedeportes.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=54343"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alofokedeportes.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=54343"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}