Rugby League legend Rob Burrow has died at the age of 41 after a four-year battle with motor neurone disease (MND). Tributes are pouring in for the former Leeds Rhinos scrum-half, who was being treated in hospital with pneumonia.
Burrow spent 16 years at Leeds Rhinos – the only club he ever played for – racking up just shy of 500 matches and becoming a full England international. He won eight Super League championships and two Challenge Cups over the course of his career.
At 5ft 5in, Burrow was known for being one of the smallest players in Rugby League. He revealed his MND diagnosis in 2019 and has since been part of numerous successful fundraising efforts alongside former team-mate Kevin Sinfield.
The pair have raised more than £8million for people affected by MND. Last year, Sinfield ran seven ultra-marathons in seven days.
A Leeds Rhinos statement 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.”
MND is a condition affecting the brain and nerves which gets progressively worse over time. Symptoms include slurred speech, weak grip and muscle cramps, while there is no known cure.
After a well-publicised four-year battle with the disease, Burrow leaves behind wife Lindsey and his three children. Born in Pontefract, West Yorkshire, the Rugby League legend spoke out at the time of his diagnosis.
“I expected to be told I had something that could be treated and move on,” he said. “It was a bit of a shock when the doctor told me I had something which has no cure.
“Apart from my voice and a few bits and bobs, I feel normal and good to go. The hardest bit is that you do not know why you have it and there is nothing you can do. Maybe it’s the athlete in us all, we don’t want to lie down and just take it, we want to compete.”
The worsening symptoms of MND eventually left Burrow just seven stone in weight and only able to eat liquidised food. He also became non-verbal, communicating via a computer operated with his eyes.
In an ITV documentary released earlier last year, Burrow said: “The hardest thing for me is not being able to be the dad I want to be.
“I would give anything to be able to kick a ball with my son or read the kids a bedtime story. It’s the small things and things that often we take for granted that having MND makes you appreciate.”
