Matty Johns was left visibly emotional as he delivered a classy tribute to Jai Arrow on Thursday night.
The NRL world was rocked this week as Arrow announced his retirement following a shock diagnosis of motor neurone disease (MND).
The rugby league community has rallied around Arrow since his devastating announcement. He posted on Instagram on Thursday night he had received a “crazy” number of messages of support.
Speaking at the start of The Late Show with Matty Johns following the Dolphins’ win over Canberra, Johns voiced what many want to say to the 30-year-old.
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“Before we get onto the show, we learnt this week, just on behalf of all of us here at the show and all of us here at Fox League, Jai Arrow, of course he was diagnosed with MND, Motor Neuron Disease, hey Jai mate, listen, we wish you all the very best,” he said.
“We’re thinking of you and your loved ones in this difficult time.
You can watch the emotional moment in the video player above.
“He’s been on our show sometimes. He’s been on our Sunday night show four or five times. I tell you, you talk about a champion bloke. Mate, it’s a heartbreak. So we’re really thinking of you. And there’s nothing really else to say except life’s f***ed sometimes. So we’re going to take a quick break brother. Good on ya.”
Johns quickly looked down after throwing to the ad break and was briefly consoled by Queensland legend Billy Moore and received a round of applause from the live studio audience.
Veteran Raiders coach Ricky Stuart began his press conference after the game by pledging his club’s support for Jai Arrow.
Raiders captain Joe Tapine also said after the game: “I just want to send my love and thoughts to Jai Arrow and his family.
“I don’t know him on a personal note, but as a competitor and a father, I want to send my love and thoughts to him.”
Arrow released a second statement to his fans through an Instagram on Thursday night.
He has vowed to fight the disease in every way he can in hope of inspiring others who have been diagnosed.
He wrote on Instagram on Thursday night he is “ready to fight this bitch” of a disease.
“Over the last few days, the amount of love and support I’ve received has honestly been overwhelming,” he posted.
“The messages, phone calls, comments and support from people right across the game and the wider community have meant more to me and my family than I could ever put into words.
“This isn’t the way I imagined my NRL journey coming to an end, but I’m incredibly grateful for the career I’ve had and for every person who has been part of it along the way. As a kid all I wanted to do was play rugby league and for 10 years I got to live out that dream.
“To everyone who has reached out since my diagnosis — thank you. Your kindness, prayers and support have lifted us through an incredibly difficult time, and we will never forget it.
“I know they say you don’t defy the odds with this disease but I am committed to doing what ever it takes. I will fight for my daughter, I will fight for my family and friends and I will fight to inspire and give people hope who are fighting the same battle. I am ready to fight this bitch.
“Rugby league has given me so much, and I’ll always be proud to have been part of the game. Thank you to the fans, my teammates, coaches, clubs, friends and family for standing by me through it all.
“I’m grateful I was apart of it and clearly I’ve enjoyed myself.”
Arrow said this week MND is already impacting his daily life, including his speech.
MND is a progressive neurological condition that damages the nerve cells controlling voluntary muscles, affecting a person’s ability to walk, speak, swallow and eventually breathe. The disease does not usually affect intelligence or the senses, but symptoms worsen over time as muscles weaken and waste away.
There is currently no cure.
The average survival time after MND diagnosis is 2.5 years. About five to ten per cent of people survive more than 10 years.
Arrow played 178 games for the Broncos, Titans and Rabbitohs and represented Queensland 12 times in State of Origin.
