Stuart Hogg reacts as Hawick memorial defaced with abusive remarks about him
Former Scotland captain Stuart Hogg has hit back at vandals who defaced a memorial in his hometown, Hawick, with a vulgar message about him.
The incident comes in the wake of Hogg going public with his new relationship with former jockey and TV presenter Leonna Mayor, sparking negative attention and online criticism.
Vandals have now targeted the Hornshole Monument in Hawick, which commemorates a historic battle, with remarks aimed at the Scotland centurion. The graffiti, which insulted the former Scotland star, was promptly cleaned up by locals.
Hogg took to social media to express his frustration, posting a series of quotes emphasizing imperfection and the selective nature of public perception.
Seemingly in response to the incident, Hogg shared an X-rated quote, captioned "morning motivation," stating, "Life is too short to be bothered by any a*****'s opinion, do yourself a favour and know your worth." The post follows a wave of negative headlines and social media scrutiny in recent weeks.
Hogg's new relationship with Mayor was revealed just days after his estranged wife gave birth to the couple's fourth child, leading to a torrent of abuse being directed at the former Exeter Chiefs and Glasgow Warriors star.
Hogg announced his shock retirement from rugby union back in July. While he had previously revealed plans to end his career after the World Cup in France, his decision to pack things in just prior to the Rugby World Cup took the rugby world by surprise and raised eyebrows in the sport.
Hogg made his Scotland debut in 2012. He played at two World Cups and went on each of the last three British and Irish Lions tours in 2013, 2017 and 2021.
He moved from Glasgow to Exeter in 2019 and was named Scotland captain the following year. Hogg skippered the national team for just over two years before Jamie Ritchie took over the role after head coach Gregor Townsend opted to make a change.
Hogg was visibly emotional before winning his 100th cap against Ireland earlier this year, although the match ended on a sour note when he was forced off in the closing stages with an ankle injury that ruled him out of the final Six Nations match versus Italy. He has now moved to a career in the media.
additional reporting PA
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> It would be best described as an elegant solution to what was potentially going to be a significant problem for new All Blacks coach Scott Robertson. It is a problem the mad population of New Zealand will have to cope with more and more as All Blacks are able to continue their careers in NZ post RWCs. It will not be a problem for coaches, who are always going to start a campaign with the captain for the next WC in mind. > Cane, despite his warrior spirit, his undoubted commitment to every team he played for and unforgettable heroics against Ireland in last year’s World Cup quarter-final, was never unanimously admired or respected within New Zealand while he was in the role. Neither was McCaw, he was considered far too passive a captain and then out of form until his last world cup where everyone opinions changed, just like they would have if Cane had won the WC. > It was never easy to see where Cane, or even if, he would fit into Robertson’s squad given the new coach will want to be building a new-look team with 2027 in mind. > Cane will win his selections on merit and come the end of the year, he’ll sign off, he hopes, with 100 caps and maybe even, at last, universal public appreciation for what was a special career. No, he won’t. Those returning from Japan have already earned the right to retain their jersey, it’s in their contract. Cane would have been playing against England if he was ready, and found it very hard to keep his place. Perform, and they keep it however. Very easy to see where Cane could have fit, very hard to see how he could have accomplished it choosing this year as his sabbatical instead of 2025, and that’s how it played out (though I assume we now know what when NZR said they were allowing him to move his sabbatical forward and return to NZ next year, they had actually agreed to simply select him for the All Blacks from overseas, without any chance he was going to play in NZ again). With a mammoth season of 15 All Black games they might as well get some value out of his years contract, though even with him being of equal character to Richie, I don’t think they should guarantee him his 100 caps. That’s not what the All Blacks should be about. He absolutely has to play winning football.
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