Uriah Rennie, the first black referee in the Premier League, has talked about his struggle to walk again after being paralysed from the waist down due to a rare ailment. Once hailed as a martial arts specialist and the “fittest” match official in world football, his world was completely upended just last year while on vacation in Turkey.
The 65-year-old has disclosed that he is now wheelchair-bound after spending several months in the hospital after doctors diagnosed him with an incurable neurological illness after he experienced excruciating back pain. Between 1997 and 2008, Rennie officiated more than 300 Premier League games, making him a well-known figure in English football.
Giant in size and proficient in aikido and kickboxing, he soon showed opposing players that he could hold his own in tense situations. Since 1996, he has served as a Sheffield magistrate and has been a fervent supporter of mental health services, equality and inclusion in sports, and combating deprivation. But now, he must contend with a personal struggle of his own: the struggle to regain his ability to walk.
Uriah Rennie Talks About A Rare Illness
The 65-year-old participated in a tearful, candid interview with the BBC.
“I thought I had just slept funny on a sun lounger, I was hoping to go paragliding but because of my backache I couldn’t go,” he told the BBC. “By the time I arrived home, I was barely able to move, and by the end of the holiday, the pain was keeping me awake.
“I lay on my back for a month and sat in bed for four more months. I was admitted to the hospital till February. doctors discovered a lump pressing against my spine, but doctors are unable to operate on it because it is a rare neurological disorder.
“I’m retraining my legs since I had to learn how to move all over again. With a frame attached to my wheelchair, I can stand and move my feet, but I still need to strengthen my glutes.
Rennie was abruptly admitted to the hospital just before he took on his new position as chancellor of Sheffield Hallam University. Despite his diagnosis, he continued to work from his hospital bed, demonstrating his dedication to helping his community. Next month, he is scheduled to formally start his new role.
Rennie, who was born in Jamaica, immigrated to the UK when she was six years old. He sent his sincere appreciation to everyone who has supported him throughout this trying time and stated his determination to restore his strength. “It has been frustrating, but family and friends have been invaluable, the hospital was absolutely superb, and the university has been exceptional,” he said.
“I made it clear that I intended to improve Sheffield and the local community. While in the hospital, I continued to oversee community sports teams from my bed. My goal is to reach my maximum physical potential. I have not been told that I would never walk again, but even if I were, I would like to be able to say that I tried my hardest.”
As grounded as ever, Rennie also underlined the significance of “creating a legacy to enable other people to stand on your shoulders” as the first black referee. Speaking about his most recent struggle, he claims that the spinal cord compression has changed his perspective on life.
“Lots of people are in wheelchairs, but it doesn’t define them,” he stated. “It has made me resilient and forceful, and I will never give up – I’m not on my own, there is a village helping me.” “I understand how fragile things are in life now,” he said in closing. Though I’m not sure if I’ll be able to walk completely, I know what I need to do to try, and you should never give up.”
