South Sydney Rabbitohs participant Jai Arrow has introduced his retirement from rugby league after being identified with Motor Neurone Illness (MND).
The 30-year-old confirmed in a press convention on Wednesday that he had retired from the game on medical grounds after “months of testing and treatment”.
In a press release shared by South Sydney Rabbitohs, Arrow stated: “Thank you for the support I’ve received over what has been an incredibly difficult and uncertain period in my life.
“After intensive medical testing and consultations relating to ongoing signs, I’ve lately obtained a prognosis regarding a nerve and neurological situation. Additional checks, specialist critiques and medical processes are nonetheless ongoing, and my docs are persevering with to evaluate my situation.
“Over recent months, my symptoms have affected different parts of my everyday life.
“On medical recommendation, I’m not presently medically cleared to coach or play on the required stage, and I will likely be stepping away from these duties whereas I focus absolutely on my well being, therapy, and rehabilitation.
“I want to sincerely thank everyone at the South Sydney Rabbitohs for the personal support they have shown me and my family throughout this process. The South Sydney Rabbitohs, my team-mates, staff, and everyone behind the scenes have made an incredibly hard situation much easier to face.
“What I want proper now is not sympathy or unhappiness. What I want is help, understanding, and privateness whereas my household and I navigate this tough time.
“This is only part of my story, and when the time is right, I’ll share more. But for now, I ask everyone to respect my privacy while I continue working with my doctors and my family.”
Jai Arrow introduced his prognosis at a press convention on Wednesday
Rabbitohs head coach Wayne Bennett added: “I’ve had the pleasure of coaching Jai for many years now, firstly at the Broncos and now at South Sydney.
“Jai is an trustworthy, real, hard-working younger man who all the time places his household and his workforce first. He has all the time been the identical.
“This is a difficult time for Jai and his family. However, we want to pay tribute to him for everything he has given his team-mates, his coaches and his communities in Brisbane, the Gold Coast, the people of Queensland, and here in South Sydney.
“Most significantly, we pay tribute to him for the household man he has turn into. He’s a particular man and we’re all very fortunate to have him at our membership and in our lives.”
Arrow performed 178 NRL video games after making his debut for Brisbane Broncos in 2016, in addition to enjoying 12 State of Origin matches for Queensland.
He’s the most recent participant from each codes of rugby to be identified with MND. Former Leeds Rhinos scrum-half Rob Burrow died from MND in 2024, with British & Irish Lions stalwart Doddie Weir passing away in November 2022, and former Queensland icon Carl Webb additionally died from the illness in 2023.
Former England rugby union captain Lewis Moody revealed his MND prognosis in October final yr.
The rugby league world sends help to Arrow
For extra info:
Daily, the MND Affiliation helps individuals affected by Motor Neurone Illness, campaigns for higher care and funds ground-breaking analysis. As a result of with MND, every single day issues. Final yr alone, the MND Affiliation funded 53 new analysis grants totalling £14.9m, paid out over £4m in grants to help these dwelling with the illness and answered 5,252 calls to their Join Helpline.
To search out out extra about what assist is on the market and the work of the MND Affiliation, please go to www.mndassociation.org or name the Join Helpline on 0808 802 6262
