'I'M GOING TO GET STUCK INTO IT'
THIS is the heartbreaking moment rugby league legend Rob Burrow breaks down as he speaks about being diagnosed with motor neurone disease.
The 37-year-old father of three, who retired in 2017, announced the shock news on Thursday.
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Burrow was giving an interview to the BBC when it all became too much for the former Leeds Rhinos star.
He had just spoke of how he has "good days and bad days" when he bowed his head and began to cry.
Burrow was supported by former team-mate and Leeds director of rugby Kevin Sinfield.
The brave sports star managed to continue with the interview, saying: "It was a bit of a shock. I'd not had any sort of prep for being told that you have something where there's no cure.
"It's one of the frustrations, the doctors and specialists don't know how you got it, and there's not much they can do.
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"You don't know much about your life expectancy, for example Stephen Hawking lived 54 years with it.
"Maybe it's the athlete in us all, we don't want to lie down and just take it, we want to compete.
"I'm going to get stuck into it, a bit like my career I was doubted and written off a few times so I'm really positive, taking the challenge and that's the best way to be.
"It was a numbing moment, but a week further on [from the diagnosis] I'm in a decent place."
Burrow's final game helped secure him an eighth Super League crown with Leeds Rhinos.
£60,000 RAISED FOR LEGEND
He played his entire career at the club, making 492 appearances following his debut in 2001, and is fifth on their all time list of most games played.
Burrow was capped 15 times by England and five by Great Britain, has been reserve team head coach with the Rhinos for the last two years.
Leeds fans have raised more than £60,000 in just 24 hours since the devastating news broke.
The original target was just £10,000 on a Virgin Money Giving page - that bar has now been moved to £100,000 after donations flooded in.
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What is motor neurone disease?
Motor neurone disease is a rare condition.
About two in every 100,000 Brits develop it each year.
It affects specialist nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, causing the function of motor neurons to break down.
When this neurodegeneration occurs, everyday activities become increasingly difficult or completely impossible.
Over time, the condition progressively worsens as the muscle weakens and can visibly waste.
The majority of those diagnosed with the disease are given a three-year life expectancy starting from when they first notice the symptoms.
Back in September former Rangers football star Fernando Ricksen sadly lost his six-year battle with the deadly disease aged 43.
And 12 months earlier Bolton Wanderers ace Stephan Darby was forced to retire from the game aged just 29 after being diagnosed with MND.
For more information about Motor Neurone Disease (MND) please visit the MND Association’s Website by clicking here.
You can also support Rob and his family by donating here.