Rob Burrow death updates — Former Leeds Rhinos rugby star dead at 41 after battling disease as tributes flood in
FORMER Leeds Rhinos rugby star Rob Burrow has died at the age of 41, his family confirmed Sunday evening.
"It is with deep sadness that we announce the death of our beloved son, husband, father, brother, and friend," the Burrows family wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.
"Rob has always been a true inspiration throughout his life whether that was on the rugby league field or during his battle with 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," Burrows family continued.
Burrow passed away peacefully at Pinderfield's Hospital near his home surrounded by his loving family after becoming ill earlier this week.
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Burrow shared emotional moment with teammate
Since his MND diagnosis, Rob Burrow, along with Kevin Sinfield, inspired nearly £20 million in fundraising across the UK and Ireland.
This includes raising over £6 million to build the Rob Burrow Centre for MND in Leeds.
Sinfield famously carried Rob over the finish line at the Leeds marathon, while raising money and awareness for the disease.
Rob completed the marathon in his chair until the last hurdle.
Sinfield then gave Burrow a peck on the cheek before preparing to return him to his chair.
Tanya Curry comments on Burrows' impact
The chief executive of the MND Association said Rob Burrow was "brilliant for the motor neurone disease community" and that he lived with the condition with "dignity, kindness, and tenacity".
Tanya Curry, who has led the charity since January 2023, said: "We are so grateful for everything that Rob and his family did.
"He allowed his diagnosis to come into people's homes so he could show the impact of this devastating and cruel disease that he lived with since the end of 2019 with such dignity, kindness, and tenacity.
"He was such a powerful individual and he was brilliant for the MND community. I know everyone loved him, and everyone will really miss him."
Ms Curry added: "Whenever you met Rob, you couldn't help but smile and have a great conversation with him and he will be missed by so many."
Inside Rob's health struggles
As time went on the former rugby player had to be cared for round-the-clock and ended up weighing only seven stone.
Rob, who eventually became non-verbal, could only eat liquidised food spoon fed to him by wife Lindsey.
A married father of three young children, he could articulate his thoughts through Eyegaze, a device that translates blinks into letters and then builds them into words on a screen.
Britain's Got Talent star pays tribute
BGT star Alex Mitchell paid tribute to the late former rugby star Rob Burrow during his final performance on the ITV show.
Mitchell delivered a comedy routine touching on topics including his love life and dates as well as seeing him embrace his ticks, which began six months after he started performing.
After he finished his performance, Alex had some powerful words for Rob's family.
He said: "An hour ago before I came on stage I got some sad news.
"To the family of Rob Burrow - he is a hero and I hope you know how much we love him here tonight, and for him advocating for disability rights is so important."
Tributes flood in from fans
Fans al across the UK are taking to X, formerly known as Twitter to pay respects to Rob Burrow after learning of his death.
England Rugby remembers Rob Burrow
England Rugby has paid their respects to the former Leeds Rhinos star.
"A true champion
"The thoughts of everyone at England Rugby are with the family and friends of Rob Burrow, who has sadly passed away at the age of 41.
"Rest in peace, Rob," the club wrote.
Leeds United posts touching tribute
Football club Leeds United has taken to their official X account, formerly known as Twitter to pay tribute to Rob Burrow.
The club wrote: "Everyone at #LUFC is devastated to learn of the passing of Rob Burrow CBE.
"Our thoughts are with Rob’s family, friends, all at Leeds Rhinos and the MND community at this incredibly sad time. RIP Legend."
Insane statistics
In total, Rob Burrow made 492 appearances for Leeds Rhinos placing him fifth in the club's all-time list of career appearances.
He scored 196 tries for a total of 1,103 points.
Rob Burrow played for the Leeds RhinosCredit: PA Leeds Rhinos statement, continued
"Rob rose through the club's academy ranks to make his debut in 2001.
"In 2004, he was part of the Leeds team that ended a 32-year wait to win the Championship with victory in the Grand Final.
"It was the first of eight Grand Final wins for Burrow including winning the Man of the Match award in the 2007 and 2011 Old Trafford showpieces.
"The 2011 game included his breath-taking try that is still regarded as the greatest Grand Final try ever scored."
Leeds Rhinos statement
Leeds' statement released on Sunday evening read: "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 brave battle against Motor Neurone Disease (MND) since his diagnosis in December 2019. He passed away peacefully at Pinderfield's Hospital near his home surrounded by his loving family after becoming ill earlier this week.
"Burrow played his entire career with Leeds Rhinos and won every honour with the club as part of their golden generation.
"A hard-working and dedicated player, his fearless performances made him one of the most respected players in the Rhinos ranks."
MND association pays tribute
Paying tribute today the MND Association said: "Our thoughts today are with Rob's wife Lindsey, children Macy, Maya, and Jackson, family and friends, and the rugby community.
"Rob, who played at number 7 for Leeds Rhinos, lived with this brutal disease in the public eye after choosing to announce his diagnosis shortly before Christmas 2019.
"He used every opportunity to raise awareness of the disease, speaking publicly, undertaking media interviews, and opening his life up 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 touching statement.
Burrow did a lot for the MND community
Rob Burrow's diagnosis has helped raise £15m for charity including £8.5m by friend and former teammate Kevin Sinfield who raised £2m from seven marathons in as many days.
The millions raised not only won the adulation of the nation but also helped build a new care centre for MND.
He would feature in an award-winning BBC documentary, ‘Rob Burrow – My Year with MND’, which provided a look behind the curtain of his battle and the impact on his wife Lindsey alongside his three children.
More on motor neurone disease
Stiffness is also common, as are cramps, twitches, and spasms.
Many people will experience speech and communication issues, breathlessness, and changes in saliva.
MND is caused by a problem with cells in the brain and nerves called motor neurones.
These cells gradually stop working over time, but it's not known why this happens, the NHS says.
What to know about motor neurone disease
Rob Burrow battled motor neurone disease and lost his battle at the age of 41.
Symptoms of MND include muscle weakness and stiff joints.
Other potential indicators of MND, which affects around 5,000 people in the UK, include a loss of muscle mass, or wasting, and movement and mobility problems.
'Man of the match'
Burrow 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 a title, while he was then named Man of the Match in Rhinos' 2007 and 2011 victories.
Rob Burrow acknowledges the fans after the matchCredit: Reuters
More on the career of Rob Burrow
The small but mighty rugby icon played his entire career with Leeds Rhinos and won every honour with the club as part of their golden generation.
He won eight Super League titles in an illustrious playing career while also representing England and Great Britain internationally.
Internationally, Burrow - who was awarded a CBE in January 2023 - was capped 15 times by England and played five Tests for Great Britain.
Rob Burrow pictured
Former Leeds Rhinos rugby star Rob Burrow has died at the age of 41.
Rob Burrow picturedCredit: Rex Features Prince of Wales pays respects
The Prince of Wales paid tribute to Burrow describing him as a “legend of Rugby League” who had a “huge heart”.
William added: “He taught us, ‘in a world full of adversity, we must dare to dream’.”
Burrows family releases statement
Burrows' former rugby team released his family's statement on X, formerly known as Twitter regarding the legend's death.
Rob Burrow dead at 41
Former England rugby star Rob Burrow has died at the age of 41 after his battle with motor neurone disease.
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's Hospital near his home surrounded by his loving family after becoming ill earlier this week.