Rob Burrow death - updates: Prince William and Kevin Sinfield lead tributes to rugby star
Kevin Sinfield describes best friend Rob Burrow as a ‘beacon of hope and inspiration’ in emotional tribute
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Kevin Sinfield described Rob Burrow as a “beacon of hope and inspiration” in an emotional tribute to his best friend, who has died aged 41.
Mr Sinfield said it was the day he hoped “would never come” as he grieved the loss of his former teammate - a “wonderful friend to so many” who “fought to the end”.
“My love and thoughts go to your beautiful family,” he added.
In a personally signed message on X, William said: “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.”
Mr Burrow, who had been living with motor neurone disease (MND), died in hospital near his home surrounded by his family after becoming ill earlier this week.
He played 493 times for Leeds and was capped 15 times for his country. Mr Burrows and Mr Sinfielf raised millions of pounds for various MND charities and the Rob Burrow Centre for MND Appeal in Leeds following his diagnosis in 2019.
Rob Burrow, the inspirational rugby league star, dies after battle with motor neurone disease
William pays tribute to ‘legend of Rugby League’ and MND campaigner Rob Burrow
Kevin Sinfield joins William in paying tribute to ‘wonderful friend’ Rob Burrow
Rob Burrow: What is motor neurone disease?
Rob Burrow: The rugby league legend whose biggest impact came off the pitch
We’re pausing our live coverage of tributes to Rob Burrow but keep checking independent.co.uk for the latest updates.
Watch: Former rugby star Rob Burrow dies aged 41 after motor neurone disease battle
Former rugby star Rob Burrow dies aged 41 after motor neurone disease battle
Rugby star Rob Burrow MBE has died at the age of 41, his former rugby league announced. The Leeds Rhinos legend passed away on 2 June 2024 following a dignosis of motor neurone disease 5 years ago. He won widespread praise for raising awareness of the rare condition, which progressively damages parts of the nervous system. Burrow was born in Pontefract, Yorkshire, and went on to make over 400 appearances for the Rhinos across a 17-year career. “Rob has always been a true inspiration throughout his life whether that was on the rugby league field or during his battle with MND. He never allowed others to define what he could achieve and believed in his own ability to do more.” Click here to sign up for our newsletters.
BBC Breakfast’s Sally Nugent remembers Rob Burrow: A giant of a man
BBC Breakfast’s Sally Nugent has remembered the late rugby player Rob Burrow as the “smallest player on the pitch. But a giant of a man”.
Leeds Rhinos, the former club of the ex-rugby league star, announced his death, at the age of 41, on Sunday.
Full report:
BBC Breakfast’s Sally Nugent remembers Rob Burrow: A giant of a man
Broadcaster Dan Walker, who interviewed Burrow when he was a presenter on BBC Breakfast, said he ‘inspired millions’.
Work to begin on £6m Rob Burrow MND centre one day after his death is announced
Work to build a new £6 million Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease in Leeds will begin on Monday, one day after the ex-rugby league player’s death was announced.
Burrow died at the age of 41 after a four-and-a-half-year battle with the incurable illness. He was just 37 and had three children under the age of eight when he announced the diagnosis in 2019.
Full report:
Work to begin on £6m Rob Burrow MND centre one day after his death is announced
Burrow died at the age of 41 after a four-and-a-half-year battle with the incurable illness.
Kevin Sinfield and Prince William led tributes to rugby star
Kevin Sinfield and Prince William led tributes to former England and Leeds Rhinos rugby league player Rob Burrow, who died at the age of 41 after a lengthy battle with a motor neurone disease.
Mr Burrow, who played 493 times for Leeds and was capped 15 times for his country, raised millions of pounds alongside former teammate Mr Sinfield for various MND charities and the Rob Burrow Centre for MND Appeal in Leeds following his diagnosis in 2019.
Ben Fleming has more.
Rob Burrow: Inspirational rugby league star dies after battle with MND
The former rugby league star was diagnosed with the condition in 2019 having retired two years prior
What is motor neurone disease?
It is a life-shortening neurological disease which affects the nerves that control movement, so muscles no longer work, according to the MND Association.
The charity says these nerves – motor neurones – control muscle activity such as walking, speaking and swallowing.
But as they are attacked, the brain’s messages gradually stop reaching muscles, leading to weakness and wasting, followed by breathing difficulties.
The MND Association says some people also experience changes to their thinking and behaviour.
– What are the early signs of MND?
The NHS says MND symptoms occur gradually so may not be obvious at first.
Early symptoms include weakness in ankles or legs, slurred speech, difficulty swallowing food, a weak grip, muscle cramps and twitches and weight loss.
A look at Rob Burrow’s campaign to raise awareness of motor neurone disease
Burrow was just 37 and had three children under the age of eight when he announced on December 19, 2019 that he had been diagnosed with the incurable illness.
The former Leeds and Great Britain scrum-half immediately launched himself into a campaign to raise awareness of the disease and here, the PA news agency charts the progress he made until his death.
Full report:
A look at Rob Burrow’s campaign to raise awareness of motor neurone disease
Burrow was just 37 and had three children under the age of eight when he announced on December 19, 2019 that he had been diagnosed with MND.
Rob Burrow: The rugby league legend whose biggest impact came off the pitch
Rob Burrow had scarcely had a chance to start the next chapter of his career when he was struck down by motor neurone disease.
The Leeds Rhinos great hung up his boots at the end of the 2017 season and was just getting into his stride as coach of the club’s academy team when the news came that he was suffering from the incurable illness.
Full report:
Rob Burrow: The rugby league legend whose biggest impact came off the pitch
Diagnosed with motor neurone disease at the age of just 37, Burrow helped raise millions for charity amid his biggest battle of all
ICYMI: William pays tribute to ‘legend of Rugby League’ and MND campaigner Rob Burrow
The Prince of Wales has paid tribute to “legend of Rugby League” Rob Burrow, after his death aged 41 following a lengthy battle with motor neurone disease.
The MND Association said Burrow was a “passionate advocate” for people with the “brutal” disease, and William said that the former England international had a “huge heart”.
Full report:
William pays tribute to ‘legend of Rugby League’ and MND campaigner Rob Burrow
Rob Burrow spent his entire rugby league career with Leeds Rhinos and helped them win eight Super League titles.
ICYMI: Rob Burrow, the inspirational rugby league star, dies after battle with motor neurone disease
Former England and Leeds Rhinos rugby league player Rob Burrow has died at the age of 41 after a lengthy battle with motor neurone disease.
Burrow, who played 493 times for Leeds and was capped 15 times for his country, raised millions of pounds alongside former teammate Kevin Sinfield for various MND charities and the Rob Burrow Centre for MND Appeal in Leeds following his diagnosis in 2019.
Full report:
Rob Burrow: Inspirational rugby league star dies after battle with MND
The former rugby league star was diagnosed with the condition in 2019 having retired two years prior
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