Australian sport joins in the fight against ALS with the goalkeeper gesture

At the age when many athletes retire because the body no longer follows the devilish pace set by young people, Jay Arrow (7/12/1995, Fairfield, New South Wales, Australia), has been forced to hang up his boots and abandon the rugby fields due to the inexorable degradation suffered by his body. Treatment for a shoulder injury brought the worst diagnosis: ALS. Last May he held a press conference and explained the reasons and since then there have been tributes, charity matches and acts of support for Arrow and, therefore, to all patients with ALS.

Jai Arrow received the first tribute announcing his retirement by ringing the Legacy Bell, during the matchday 15 of the NRL between the South Sydney Rabbitohs and the Brisbane Broncos.Getty Images

Tom Burgesswho along with his brothers Sam, George and Luke He lost his father because of ALS As a teenager, he showed solidarity with his former teammate from the Souths. The retired star Josh Mansour said “I will support you through thick and thin, brother.”while the captain of the Broncos, Adam Reynoldsand the pillar of Dragons, Hame Selethey also shared their affection for Arrow. Blake Sollyexecutive director of the club where he played until May, the South Sydney Rabbitohssaid of him that “His contribution to the sport, to our club and to our community will never be forgotten. Jai reached the highest levels that this sport could offer, but in addition to the tireless player he was on the field, he was an excellent member of the club.”

But the players have not only limited themselves to leaving messages on social networks, but a wave of solidarity and gestures has spread throughout all the fields of rugby, Australian football and in any competition where a ‘Aussie‘ achieve an achievement or a mark. As a celebration and in honor of his last name, numerous athletes perform the gesture ‘the archer celebration’ (the archer’s celebration) to show support for Jai’s fight with the illness that consumes him.

Additionally, in each match in which he has been honored, the stadium has made a microphone available to fans to encourage Jai and his family.

Numerous Australian football and rugby athletes and players have joined the initiative to visualize Jai Arrow's illness — Numerous Australian football and rugby athletes and players have joined the initiative to visualize Jai Arrow’s illness

The 100 games

Jaywho played as a third line player and who appeared tough and inflexible on the field, made it clear that outside of it, he is going to fight with all his strength. He played 178 first division matches during his time with the Broncosthe titans and the Rabbitohsin addition to representing queensland on 12 occasions. The National Rugby League (NRL) established last July the ‘Jai July‘, when he turned 31, to raise funds for research in the fight against ALS. Furthermore, it allowed the Rabbitohs register him so that it was recorded as having been called up for two more league games and reach 100 in a full stadium where a hall of honor was organized and tribute t-shirts were sold to raise funds.

Jai Arrow, with visible signs of the disease on his face, thanked with tears the enormous support of players and the public in his tribute before the match between South Sydney Rabbitohs and Sydney Roosters on September 4 — Jai Arrow, with visible signs of the disease on his face, received his tribute before the match between South Sydney Rabbitohs and Sydney Roosters on September 4Getty Images

Jay Arrow will continue fighting as he did in the field, pending the Rabbitohs waiting for them to reach the final next season to give them a victory that will be their greatest tribute and support in these difficult times.