Rob Burrow CBE has passed away at the age of 41 following a lengthy battle with motor neurone disease.
The "legend of Rugby League" spent his entire career with Leeds Rhinos, helped them win eight Super League titles and represented Great Britain. After being diagnosed with the disease two years after retiring in 2017, the MND Association said Burrow "used every opportunity to raise awareness of the disease".
The group added he was a "passionate advocate" for people with the "brutal" disease and "inspired support from so many". Burrow raised millions alongside former teammate Kevin Sinfield to raise awareness of the disease. He helped raise more than £15million, including more than £6m to build a Rob Burrow Centre for MND in Leeds.
Burrow and Sinfield cross the finish line of the marathon (PA)
Burrow with his wife and Sinfield during a media call for the marathon (PA)Last year, Sinfield completed an emotional Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon by carrying his former teammate over the finishing line. Sinfield ran the inaugural marathon pushing his dear friend the 26.2 miles distance in May 2023. After reaching the line at 4 hours and 22 minutes, Sinfield picked up Burrow out of his chair to carry him the final few metres to a rapturous ovation from the crowds.
Speaking to BBC Radio Leeds, an emotional Sinfield said: "I did London three weeks ago and that was unbelievable, but today…it's beat London. I know it’s not a competition, but the people of Leeds really came out and I’ve never seen anything like it."
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The Burrow family released a statement paying tribute to him, which was also shared on the Leeds Rhinos website. It read: "It is with deep sadness that we announce the death of our beloved son, husband, father, brother and friend.
"Rob has always been a true inspiration throughout his life whether that was on the rugby league field or during his battle with MND (motor neurone disease). He never allowed others to define what he could achieve and believed in his own ability to do more.
"The outpouring of love and support that rob and the whole Burrow family have received over the last four and half years meant so much to Rob. In particular, the rugby league family and the MND community have rallied around rob to inspire him, thank you for your support.
"For those who knew Rob throughout his life, his determination and spirit in the face of mnd over the last four and half years came as no surprise. Rob never accepted that he couldn't do something, he just found his own way of doing it better than anyone else. He will continue to inspire us all every day. In a world full of adversity, we must dare to dream."
Sinfield with David Spencer cross the line to complete the Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon (PA)
Sinfield and Burrow after completing his Extra Mile Challenge in November 2021 (Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com/REX/Shutterstock)Chief executive Tanya Curry of the MND Association said: "He allowed people to have hope. But he was also very realistic with where he was. He just opened his life up and that takes huge courage. I know the community was so grateful for that."
Rob, from Pontefract, West Yorkshire, was 37 when he announced he had MND. As the illness progressed he lost the ability to speak, communicating with an eye-gaze machine, which used his voice from old interviews. He also urged the government to do more to fund research into MND, visiting Downing Street with former Liverpool footballer and fellow MND sufferer Stephen Darby, 35, in 2021.
In 2022, Rob received the Helen Rollason Award at BBC's Sports Personality of the Year ceremony, along with his pal Kevin. And in 2023 Rob, his wife Lindsey and Kevin, won a Pride of Britain special recognition award for their fundraising efforts. Rob received an MBE in the 2021 New Year Honours and this year the Prince of Wales presented Rob and Kevin with CBEs for services to MND awareness.
Last night the Prince posted: "A legend of rugby league, Rob had a huge heart. He taught us, ‘in a world full of adversity, we must dare to dream’. Catherine and I send our love to Lindsey, Jackson, Maya and Macy." Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said: "He leaves behind an amazing legacy."
Nicola Roseman, of the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation – founded by late rugby union star Doddie Weir, who also had MND – said: "Rob was a remarkable athlete but, more importantly, an extraordinary human being." Broadcaster Dan Walker, who interviewed Rob on BBC Breakfast, said: "He was the little fella who made a massive impact on the pitch and an even bigger one off it." BBC Breakfast’s Sally Nugent, 52, posted: "Smallest player on the pitch. But a giant of a man. There's only one Rob Burrow."
Football pundit Chris Kamara said: "What a trooper Rob was. He fought a real battle. The impact he leaves will be long lasting. What a hero." As brave Rob once said of his illness: "I have a disease with no cure but I have too many reasons to live. I am not giving in until my last breath." The Player of the Match award at the Super League Grand Final will now be renamed after Rob, who was the first player to win the trophy twice.
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