Sir Chris Hoy had fans feeling emotional following a cameo appearance on the pitch at the latest Six Nations match. The rugby union championship returned last month and several games have now taken place. As part of the second round, Scotland have been competing against Ireland at Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh on Sunday afternoon. Ahead of kick-off, former track cyclist Chris, 48, headed onto the pitch at the stadium to deliver the match ball. The Olympic gold medalist, who grew up in Murrayfield in the city, was met with much applause from those in the crowd.
Fans paid tribute to Chris and shared that his involvement had them feeling emotional in posts on X. One person wrote: "Chris Hoy is one of the all time greats. Had a wee year in my eye there." Another said they had "goosebumps". A third viewer said: "Found Sir Chris Hoy bringing on the match ball today so emotional." Someone else wrote on the platform following his brief appearance: "Very emotional seeing Sir Chris Hoy deliver the match day ball. What a legend.".
"Many tears in many people's eyes including mine seeing Sir Chris Hoy coming into the Murrayfield pitch with the match ball," one viewer reacted. Others wrote about Chris whilst discussing Scotland's anthem, Flower of Scotland, being played before the match began on the weekend. Alongside a crying emoji, one fan said: "Always gets me going and then Chris Hoy delivering the match ball has totally set me off!" Another said: "Not a huge rugby fan but the national anthem had me teary but Chris Hoy had me sobbing. What a man [Chris] is and what a nation we are #Scotland.".
Chris' appearance at the match on Sunday comes after he announced in February last year that he was diagnosed with cancer in 2023. He wrote in a post at the time: "Last year I was diagnosed with cancer, which came as a huge shock, having had no symptoms up to that point.". He also told fans: "I'm currently receiving treatment including chemotherapy which thankfully is going really well. I'd like to extend my sincere gratitude to all the medical professionals for their amazing help and care.".
The former racing driver - who said he was "optimistic, positive and surrounded by love" - has since raised awareness of prostate cancer. Then in October, it was announced that he had been diagnosed with terminal cancer, with him said to have been given "two to four years" to live. As reported at the time, doctors said that his cancer, which had spread, was stage four and incurable. Chris later shared at the end of last year that he's "doing well" and is "not in any pain at all".
