Rabbitohs forward Jai Arrow has announced his retirement from the NRL, revealing his motor neurone disease diagnosis.
The State of Origin star took a step back this season due to shoulder issues. On Wednesday, he announced his retirement at a press conference alongside chief executive Blake Solly and coach Wayne Bennett.
“Thank you to everyone for being here and for the support over what has been an incredibly difficult and uncertain period in my life,” the statement said.
“After extensive medical testing and consultations regarding ongoing symptoms, I’ve recently received a diagnosis relating to nerve and neurological condition.
“Further tests, specialist reviews and medical processes are still ongoing and my doctors are continuing to assess my condition.”
Solly read out the statement from Arrow who attended the press conference and was visibly emotional as the announcement was made.
“Over recent months, my symptoms have affected different parts of my everyday life, ” the statement continued.
“On medical advice, I’m not currently medically cleared to train or play at the required level and I will be stepping away from those duties while I focus fully on my health.
He then proceeded to thank his teammates and family for their support following his diagnosis.
“To my teammates, thank you for treating me exactly the same every single day. Within minutes of walking through the doors, most of you are still making me laugh with your usual banter and honestly, I wouldn’t have it any other way.
“To my family and close mates, thank you for standing beside me through all of this.
“I know the road ahead won’t be easy, but anyone who knows me knows I’m competitive, stubborn and ready to fight this with everything I’ve got.
“What I need right now isn’t sympathy or sadness. What I need is support, understanding and privacy while my family and I navigate this difficult time.
“This is only part of my story and when the time is right, I will share more. For now, I ask everyone to respect my privacy while I continue working with my doctors and family.”
Arrow played 178 games for the Broncos, Titans and South Sydney as well as 12 Origin outings for Queensland over his decade-long career.
Solly praised Arrow for his dedication to the game, their club and the community.
“Jai reached the highest levels the sport had to offer, but aside from the brave and unrelenting player he was on the field, he was a terrific clubman,” the chief executive said.
“We will be doing everything we can to support Jai through the months ahead. Anyone who knows his character knows what a brave and courageous character he is.
“That passion and that character that have been the hallmark of his career will no doubt be a hallmark of this fight he has on his hands.
“Jai and his family will always be Rabbitohs and will part of this club for many years.”
His coach, Bennett, also spoke at the press conference and reflected on how he supported Arrow’s career from when he was just a teenager.
“There’s not a lot I can add other than the great pleasure of being part of his life since 2015 when I came back to the Broncos and he was playing U21s,” he said.
“He’s a wonderful young man. You see some of his teammates here today and like all of us, we can’t believe what’s happened to him, but the fact is it’s happened and he has to call it time – but he knows he’s got the support of everybody in the changeroom.
“He’ll need that, but we will always be there for him at this club.”
Image: Nine
Rabbitohs forward Jai Arrow has announced his retirement from the NRL, revealing his motor neurone disease diagnosis.
The State of Origin star took a step back this season due to shoulder issues. On Wednesday, he announced his retirement at a press conference alongside chief executive Blake Solly and coach Wayne Bennett.
“Thank you to everyone for being here and for the support over what has been an incredibly difficult and uncertain period in my life,” the statement said.
“After extensive medical testing and consultations regarding ongoing symptoms, I’ve recently received a diagnosis relating to nerve and neurological condition.
“Further tests, specialist reviews and medical processes are still ongoing and my doctors are continuing to assess my condition.”
Solly read out the statement from Arrow who attended the press conference and was visibly emotional as the announcement was made.
“Over recent months, my symptoms have affected different parts of my everyday life, ” the statement continued.
“On medical advice, I’m not currently medically cleared to train or play at the required level and I will be stepping away from those duties while I focus fully on my health.
He then proceeded to thank his teammates and family for their support following his diagnosis.
“To my teammates, thank you for treating me exactly the same every single day. Within minutes of walking through the doors, most of you are still making me laugh with your usual banter and honestly, I wouldn’t have it any other way.
“To my family and close mates, thank you for standing beside me through all of this.
“I know the road ahead won’t be easy, but anyone who knows me knows I’m competitive, stubborn and ready to fight this with everything I’ve got.
“What I need right now isn’t sympathy or sadness. What I need is support, understanding and privacy while my family and I navigate this difficult time.
“This is only part of my story and when the time is right, I will share more. For now, I ask everyone to respect my privacy while I continue working with my doctors and family.”
Arrow played 178 games for the Broncos, Titans and South Sydney as well as 12 Origin outings for Queensland over his decade-long career.
Solly praised Arrow for his dedication to the game, their club and the community.
“Jai reached the highest levels the sport had to offer, but aside from the brave and unrelenting player he was on the field, he was a terrific clubman,” the chief executive said.
“We will be doing everything we can to support Jai through the months ahead. Anyone who knows his character knows what a brave and courageous character he is.
“That passion and that character that have been the hallmark of his career will no doubt be a hallmark of this fight he has on his hands.
“Jai and his family will always be Rabbitohs and will part of this club for many years.”
His coach, Bennett, also spoke at the press conference and reflected on how he supported Arrow’s career from when he was just a teenager.
“There’s not a lot I can add other than the great pleasure of being part of his life since 2015 when I came back to the Broncos and he was playing U21s,” he said.
“He’s a wonderful young man. You see some of his teammates here today and like all of us, we can’t believe what’s happened to him, but the fact is it’s happened and he has to call it time – but he knows he’s got the support of everybody in the changeroom.
“He’ll need that, but we will always be there for him at this club.”
Image: Nine
Rabbitohs forward Jai Arrow has announced his retirement from the NRL, revealing his motor neurone disease diagnosis.
The State of Origin star took a step back this season due to shoulder issues. On Wednesday, he announced his retirement at a press conference alongside chief executive Blake Solly and coach Wayne Bennett.
“Thank you to everyone for being here and for the support over what has been an incredibly difficult and uncertain period in my life,” the statement said.
“After extensive medical testing and consultations regarding ongoing symptoms, I’ve recently received a diagnosis relating to nerve and neurological condition.
“Further tests, specialist reviews and medical processes are still ongoing and my doctors are continuing to assess my condition.”
Solly read out the statement from Arrow who attended the press conference and was visibly emotional as the announcement was made.
“Over recent months, my symptoms have affected different parts of my everyday life, ” the statement continued.
“On medical advice, I’m not currently medically cleared to train or play at the required level and I will be stepping away from those duties while I focus fully on my health.
He then proceeded to thank his teammates and family for their support following his diagnosis.
“To my teammates, thank you for treating me exactly the same every single day. Within minutes of walking through the doors, most of you are still making me laugh with your usual banter and honestly, I wouldn’t have it any other way.
“To my family and close mates, thank you for standing beside me through all of this.
“I know the road ahead won’t be easy, but anyone who knows me knows I’m competitive, stubborn and ready to fight this with everything I’ve got.
“What I need right now isn’t sympathy or sadness. What I need is support, understanding and privacy while my family and I navigate this difficult time.
“This is only part of my story and when the time is right, I will share more. For now, I ask everyone to respect my privacy while I continue working with my doctors and family.”
Arrow played 178 games for the Broncos, Titans and South Sydney as well as 12 Origin outings for Queensland during his decade-long career.
Solly praised Arrow for his dedication to the game, their club and the community.
“Jai reached the highest levels the sport had to offer, but aside from the brave and unrelenting player he was on the field, he was a terrific clubman,” the chief executive said.
“We will be doing everything we can to support Jai through the months ahead. Anyone who knows his character knows what a brave and courageous character he is.
“That passion and that character that have been the hallmark of his career will no doubt be a hallmark of this fight he has on his hands.
“Jai and his family will always be Rabbitohs and will part of this club for many years.”
His coach, Bennett, also spoke at the press conference and reflected on how he supported Arrow’s career from when he was just a teenager.
“There’s not a lot I can add other than the great pleasure of being part of his life since 2015 when I came back to the Broncos and he was playing U21s,” he said.
“He’s a wonderful young man. You see some of his teammates here today and like all of us, we can’t believe what’s happened to him, but the fact is it’s happened and he has to call it time – but he knows he’s got the support of everybody in the changeroom.
“He’ll need that, but we will always be there for him at this club.”
Image: Nine
