PRINCE William led the moving tributes to Rugby League star Rob Burrow, hailing him as a “legend”.
Burrow, who passed away today aged 41, was described as having a “huge heart” by Wills, who sent his condolences to Burrow’s family alongside Princess Kate.
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The fan favorite passed away after a courageous battle with motor neurone disease, Leeds Rhinos announced earlier today.
Wills posted his tribute on X saying: “A Rugby League legend, Rob Burrow 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.”
Burrow was diagnosed with motor neurone disease in 2019, just two years after retiring from a 17-season rugby league career.
He passed away peacefully at Pinderfield Hospital, near his home, surrounded by his loving family, after falling ill earlier this week.
Heartbroken fans laid t-shirts and flowers in memory of the star outside the Leeds Rhinos stadium.
The small but mighty rugby icon played his entire career with Leeds Rhinos and won every honor with the club as part of their golden generation.
He won eight Super League titles in an illustrious playing career, whilst also representing England and Great Britain internationally.
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After being diagnosed with the disease, he dedicated himself to raising awareness and funds for the MND community with the support of close friend and former Leeds teammate Kevin Sinfield.
Internationally, Burrow – who was awarded a CBE in January 2023 – has been capped 15 times for England and played five Tests for Great Britain.
But he was best known as part of the Leeds team that won the Super League in 2004.
It was a victory that ended the club’s 32-year wait for the title, while he was named Man of the Match in the Rhinos’ victories in 2007 and 2011.
The Leeds statement released on Sunday evening said: “It is with deep sadness that the club can confirm that former player Rob Burrow CBE has passed away, aged 41.
“Rob inspired the entire country with his courageous battle against Motor Neurone Disease (MND) since his diagnosis in December 2019. He passed away peacefully at Pinderfield Hospital, near his home, surrounded by his loving family, after falling ill earlier this year. week.
Symptoms of MND
Muscle weakness and joint stiffness are common symptoms of motor neurone disease.
Other potential indicators of MND, which affects around 5,000 people in the UK, include muscle wasting, or wasting, and problems with movement and mobility.
Stiffness is also common, as are cramps, spasms, and spasms.
And many people will have speech and communication problems, shortness of breath and changes in saliva.
MND is caused by a problem with brain and nerve cells called motor neurons.
These cells gradually stop working over time, but it’s not known why this happens, says the NHS.
In total, he made 492 appearances for Leeds Rhinos, placing him fifth on the club’s all-time career appearances list.
He scored 196 tries for a total of 1,103 points.
Since his MND diagnosis, Burrow, along with Sinfield, has inspired almost £20 million in fundraising in the UK and Ireland.
This includes raising more than £6 million to build the Rob Burrow Center for MND in Leeds.
Sinfield carried Rob to the finish line at the Leeds marathon, whilst raising money and awareness for the disease.
FLOODING TAXES
The MND Association released a moving statement saying: “Our thoughts today are with Rob’s wife Lindsey, children Macy, Maya and Jackson, family and friends and the rugby community.
“Rob, who played as number 7 for Leeds Rhinos, lived with this brutal illness in the public eye after deciding to announce his diagnosis just before Christmas 2019.
“He took every opportunity to raise awareness about the disease, speaking publicly, carrying out media actions interviews and opening up about his life in two moving BBC documentaries My Year With MND and Rob Burrow: Living With MND.”
The charity called the rugby star a “consistent and passionate advocate” in the moving statement.
Piers Morgan also made it clear how much respect Burrow deserves for his heroic life.
He wrote on X: “How incredibly sad News. A remarkable man who fought the terrible motor neurone disease with so much courage, steadfastness and determination.
“He raised a lot of money, a lot of awareness and helped so many other people. RIP Rob.”
Broadcaster Dan Walker also posted on X sending his regards to the grieving family.
He said the rugby legend “taught us a lot” with his “continued determination and desire to make a difference to others”.
Boxing’s top promoter labeled Burrow a “real-life hero.”
Play ‘inspiring’
By GARY CARTER
AN INSPIRATION has left us with the sad passing of Rob Burrow after a courageous battle with motor neurone disease (MND).
The Leeds Rhinos legend died at Pinderfields Hospital, near his home in West Yorkshire, yesterday afternoon (Sunday), after falling ill earlier in the week.
But his legacy will live on with the way he led, along with his friend and former teammate Kevin Sinfield, in bringing the condition to the nation’s attention since his diagnosis in December 2019.
And fittingly, the opening of the new Rob Burrow Center for MND at Leeds’ Seacroft Hospital will take place today (Monday) as planned, at the 41-year-old’s request.
Sinfield will take on his fifth fitness challenge in December after raising millions of pounds for MND charities and raising awareness of the condition.
Now, Leeds’ Headingley Stadium – where Burrow became a rugby league titan – will see a flood of tributes after the south stand was opened to those wishing to pay their respects.
His family said: “Rob has always been a true inspiration throughout his life, whether 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.
“The outpouring of love and support that Rob and the entire Burrow family have received over the past four and a half years has meant so much to Rob.
“In particular, the rugby league family and MND community have come together to inspire you, thank you for your support.
“For those who have known Rob throughout his life, his determination and spirit in the face of MND over the past four and a half years has come as no surprise.
“He will continue to inspire us all every day. In a world full of adversity, we must dare to dream.”
Burrow’s playing career was legendary – winning eight Super League titles, two Challenge Cups and three World Club Challenges.
In 492 appearances for his only club, he scored 196 tries for a total of 1,103 points. He was capped 15 times by England and played a further five Tests for Great Britain.
He also received the ‘ultimate honour’ – rugby league renamed the Grand Final best player award in his honour.
He was the first player to win the Harry Sunderland Trophy twice, in 2007 and 2011, when he became the first to win by a landslide, winning all 37 votes recorded.
But following his diagnosis, he became the face of the fight against MND, inspiring almost £20 million in fundraising and being awarded a CBE, along with Sinfield, who raised around £10 million with his challenges.
“Kev was my captain and still is my captain. He always will be,” said the icon, who leaves behind his wife Lindsey and children Macy, Maya and Jackson, at the launch of the book With You Every Step.
“I wanted to write this book to highlight the importance of friendship and show that there are many ways to be strong.
“I hope this gives my three children an idea of what true friendship is.”
The Leeds Marathon is named after Burrow and the new center will ensure his legacy lives on.
“This is all about friendship and trying to help a fellow man,” Sinfield said about why he did seven marathons in seven days, a 100-mile continuous run, seven ultramarathons in seven days and seven marathons in seven days in seven cities. .
“There are 100 reasons why we shouldn’t go again, but there are 5,000 reasons why we should – the biggest one is Rob.
“The awareness over the last four years has been brilliant, starting with the great Doddie Weir, but it’s the funds that will make the difference, whether it’s finding a cure or helping support families like Rob’s.”
The first Rob Burrow Award will be presented at the Super League Grand Final on October 14 and he said: “I am completely impressed with the name change.
“Being the first player to win the Harry Sunderland Trophy twice was really special – having the award named after me is the greatest honour.”
The Rugby Football League said: “Rob was an outstanding rugby league player for both club and country.
“Since December 2019, his courage and humanity – combined with that of his family, friends and former Leeds Rhinos teammates, led by Kevin Sinfield CBE – have transcended sport.”
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This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
