A former teammate of Rob Burrow has paid tribute to a “wonderful friend” after the rugby league legend died more than four years after being diagnosed with motor neurone disease.
Kevin Sinfield played for Leeds Rhinos alongside Burrow and the pair raised millions of pounds for charity after the former scrum-half was diagnosed with the disease in 2019.
An image of Sinfield carrying his former teammate across the finish line of the Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon in May 2023 will live long in the memory.
In January, the Prince of Wales awarded Burrow and Sinfield CBEs in recognition of his “phenomenal” fundraising efforts for Motor Neurone Disease (MND).
Sinfield was also accompanied by Prince William to pay tribute to the rugby player turned activist who died on Sunday at age 41.
In a statement posted to X by Leeds Rhinos, Sinfield said: “Today was the day I hoped would never come.
“The world has lost a great man and a wonderful friend to so many people.
“You fought bravely to the end and became a beacon of hope and inspiration, not just for the MND community, but for all those who saw and heard your story.”
Rob Burrow
He continued in his tribute to Burrow: “I would always say that you were, pound for pound, the toughest player I have ever played with, however, since your diagnosis, you have been the toughest and bravest man I have ever known.
“I will miss you, my little companion.”
In a personally signed message on the X, the Prince of Wales said: “A Rugby League legend, Rob Burrow had a huge heart. He taught us, in a world full of adversity, that we must dare to dream.”
Leeds Rhinos had previously said in a statement that Burrow “passed away peacefully” at Pinderfields Hospital in Wakefield, close to his home, surrounded by his family, after falling ill earlier this week.
Burrow leaves behind his wife Lindsey and their three children Macy, Maya and Jackson.
The Prince of Wales (right) meets Rob Burrow, his wife Lindsey Burrow and their children Maya (left), Macy and Jackson in Leeds in January. Photo: Reuters
Following his diagnosis, Burrow led an appeal for £6.8 million to the Leeds Hospitals Charity, where he received care, for a state-of-the-art center for people living with MND.
The rare degenerative brain and nerve disease ended up taking Burrow’s voice and confining him to a wheelchair.
The Leeds Hospital Charity said the former rugby player was “an inspiration, not just to the people of Yorkshire, but to the whole nation and the world”, adding that he spread joy with his “infectious smile and sense of unshakable humor.” .
See more information:
Sinfield and Burrow’s friendship lessons
Burrow completes Father’s Day fun run
sinfield announces new ultramarathon challenge
Prince William surprises Rob Burrow with CBE
Meanwhile, Sinfield has completed several fundraising challenges for MND organizations.
This includes raising £1.5 million after completing seven ultramarathons in seven days, starting in Edinburgh and finishing at Manchester’s Old Trafford stadium, reaching the finish line during the Rugby League World Cup Final.
Leeds Rhinos said work on Monday to begin construction on the new Rob Burrow Center for Motor Neurone Disease “will proceed as planned at Rob’s request”, adding it was a tribute to his “incredible work”.
The chief executive of the MND Association said Burrow, who was a patron of the charity, was “brilliant for the motor neurone disease community” and lived with the disease with “dignity, kindness and tenacity”.
From November – Rob Burrow: ‘Kev is still my captain’
The MND Association said Burrow was a “passionate advocate” for people with the “brutal” disease.
Tanya Curry, who has led the charity since January 2023, said: “We are so grateful for everything Rob and his family have done.
“He allowed his diagnosis to reach people’s homes to show the impact of this devastating and cruel disease with which he has lived since the end of 2019 with so much dignity, kindness and tenacity.
“Whenever you met Rob you couldn’t help but smile and have a great conversation with him and he will be missed by many.”
Kevin Sinfield, left, and Rob Burrow during their playing days. Photo: AP
Burrow spent his entire rugby league career with Leeds Rhinos and helped them win eight Super League titles and represented Great Britain.
Emotional supporters turned out at the club’s Headingley Stadium on Sunday to pay their respects, leaving flowers, shirts and other tributes.
This story originally appeared on News.sky.com read the full story
