Latrell Mitchell’s tribute to ‘ultimate teammate’ as NRL community rallies around Jai Arrow
The South Sydney forward has been forced to announce his immediate retirement.
Some of the biggest names in the NRL world are sending well-wishes and support to Jai Arrow after the South Sydney forward announced his immediate retirement on Wednesday. The 30-year-old has been diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease (MND), leaving the NRL community devastated.
Latrell Mitchell described Arrow as the “ultimate teammate” on social media, while Souths captain Cameron Murray wrote: “One of the greats, love you forever.” Former Rabbitohs player Adam Reynolds wrote, “love ya brother”, while commentator Andrew Voss said: “Whatever we can do in the game for Jai, we will do. A terrific player and always been great to deal with in the media.”
The Bulldogs, Roosters, Storm, Cowboys, Panthers, Tigers and Knights all left comments on a social media post from the Rabbitohs. The Broncos, where Arrow debuted, wrote in their own tribute: “All love, Bronco #222. Thoughts are with Jai and his family.” The Gold Coast Titans – Arrow’s other former club – added: “Sending love to you and your family Titan 133.”
Arrow played 178 NRL games – 24 for Brisbane, 56 for Gold Coast and 98 for Souths. He also played 12 State of Origin games for Queensland.
(Mark Kolbe via Getty Images)
Jai Arrow speaks out about devastating diagnosis
Speaking to Channel 9 on Wednesday night, the 30-year-old said: “I wanted to do this to let people know I am OK and I am ready to fight. I do really have a lot.
“Nothing is going to take me out easy. I wanna do everything I can – any trial, any medication that will maintain me for as long as I can. I want to inspire other people who have been diagnosed.”
Souths coach Wayne Bennett and CEO Blake Solly were emotional on Wednesday afternoon after announcing Arrow’s retirement. “There’s goosebumps running through me now. It’s just the last way you want someone to retire,” Bennett said. “But it is what it is and he’s handling it great and he’s helping us handle it a lot better as well.
“He’s a wonderful young man to be part of the football club. We can’t believe what’s going to happen to him but he knows he’s got the support of everybody in the change room and he knows he’s got the support of everybody on the staff.”
Bennett added: “He deserves all the accolades and all the support that he can get because he has a battle on his hands. He knows that and he also knows that he won’t have to do it by himself.
“He’ll need that, but we’ll always be there for him in this club. That’s just the DNA of this club. He’ll need us and we’ll need him. No one’s walking away from anybody.”