Rob Burrow, the former rugby league player who came to national attention after his diagnosis with motor neurone disease, has died at the age of 41 following a short illness.
Burrow, one of the modern era’s great players who won every domestic honour available throughout a stellar playing career with Leeds as well as being capped by both England and Great Britain, was diagnosed with the condition in 2019 and helped inspire almost £20m in fundraising to support people living with MND.
In a statement, Leeds 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 brave battle against motor neurone disease since his diagnosis.
“He passed away peacefully at Pinderfields Hospital near his home surrounded by his loving family after becoming ill earlier this week. On behalf of the Burrow family, we would like to thank the staff for their compassion and caring for Rob in his final days.”
The Burrow family added in their own statement: “The outpouring of love and support that Rob and the whole Burrow family have received over the last four and a 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 a 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.”
Alongside his close friend and former teammate Kevin Sinfield, the pair raised the condition in the national consciousness. After his diagnosis, Burrow and his family raised awareness plus millions of pounds for the MND community, including the foundation of the Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon in 2023.
That significant fundraising also included £6m to build the Rob Burrow Centre for MND in Leeds, to help support people living with the disease. The breaking of the ground on that facility was due to take place on Monday and his former club confirmed, as per Burrow’s wishes, that will still go ahead as planned.
After making his debut for Leeds in 2001, Burrow went on to become one of the most important players in the club’s history. A member of the Rhinos’ golden generation, he was instrumental in helping Leeds end their 32-year wait for a league championship with victory in the 2004 Super League Grand Final.
He went on to win eight Super League titles, perhaps the most notable of which was in 2011 against St Helens when he scored what is still regarded as the greatest try in Grand Final history. He also helped Leeds win the treble in 2015 and in 2017, in his final match as a player, he helped the Rhinos defeat Castleford in the league showpiece at Old Trafford.
Burrow made 492 appearances for Leeds, placing him fifth in the club’s all-time appearance list. He was capped five times by Great Britain, 15 by England and won the Challenge Cup in 2014 and 2015, as well as the World Club Challenge on three occasions. He remains one of the modern era’s most decorated players.
The Prince of Wales, who presented CBEs to Burrow and Sinfield in January, saluted “a legend of rugby league” on social media, adding: “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.”
Leeds opened the doors to Headingley Stadium on Sunday evening, the venue where Burrow made his name in Super League, shortly after news of his death emerged to allow the public to pay their respects to one of rugby league’s greats.
Burrow former Rhinos teammate Barrie McDermott, who has also played a part in fundraising for the MND community, said on X, formerly known as Twitter: “The world will never forget Rob Burrow. He is a hero to so many people and an inspiration to all who were lucky enough to meet him or came across his story on and off the pitch.
“He was brave beyond words in those last few months, he has taught me so much about courage, kindness and love. Good night God bless my little brother I feel blessed to call you my friend.”
The Motor Neurone Disease Association, for whom Burrow was a patron, said: “It is testament to the strength of feeling people have for Rob that the support in his name has never wavered.
“The MND Association is incredibly grateful to Rob and his family for helping to raise awareness of MND, and funds for the Association, by sharing the details of their journey and by inspiring so many people both within the MND community and the wider public.”
In a 2021 interview with the Guardian, Burrow said: “I’ve had such a wonderful life. I want to make the most of the time I have left.”
