A STEADY stream of Leeds Rhinos rugby league fans is passing through Leeds Rhinos’ Headingley stadium to leave tributes of flowers and messages honouring former player Rob Burrow who died in Sunday suffering from motor neurone disease (MND). He was 41.

Tributes have poured into the club from across the world of sport and beyond, praising the former player’s courage in the face of the debilitating disease.

In the four-and-a-half years since his diagnosis Burrow’s life has been devoted to raising awareness of MND and raising funds for research.

He and his team-mate Kevin Sinfield took part together in marathons and other challenges, and one of the most moving pictures in the last years of Burrow’s life was that of Kevin carrying him over the finishing line in the 2023 inaugural Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon.

Sinfield had pushed his friend in a wheelchair for the 26.2 miles of the marathon.

The pair have raised more than £9 million for MND charities, including for the building of a Rob Burrow MND centre in Leeds. 

Paying his own tribute, Sinfield said in a statement: “Today was the day that I hoped would never come.

“The world has lost a great man and a wonderful friend to so many. You fought so bravely until the end and became a beacon of hope and inspiration, not only for the MND community but for all those who saw and heard your story.

“My love and thoughts go to your beautiful family, Lindsey, Macy, Maya and Jackson, to your parents Geoff and Irene, sisters Joanne and Claire and your wider family and friends.

“You will continue to inspire me every single day. I have lost a dear friend and will never forget the special times we shared both on and off the pitch. I would always say that you were pound for pound the toughest player I ever played alongside, however, since your diagnosis, you were the toughest and bravest man I have ever met.

“The last four-and-a-half years you showed the world what living and loving looked like and this was always done with the biggest smile on your face.

“I will miss you my little mate. All my love, Kev. X”

Burrow was a small man — 5’5” tall — but his physical stature was no hindrance to his ability on the pitch. In his sporting career he gathered a host of “best player” and other awards.

His sporting achievements are well documented and include eight Super League championships, two Challenge Cups, being named to the Super League Dream Team on three occasions and winning the Harry Sunderland Trophy twice.

He was a one-club man, spending all his 16-year professional career with Leeds Rhinos. He played for England and Great Britain.

Burrow was born in Pontefract in West Yorkshire. His father was a trade union activist and a branch secretary for general union GMB.

Burrow grew up in Castleford in West Yorkshire and was educated at Airedale High School.

He began playing rugby league at the age of seven for Castleford Panthers and later played at junior level with Featherstone Lions, becoming professional at Leeds Rhinos.

While his sporting skills made him famous in the world of rugby league, his courage and his fundraising efforts with Sinfield brought him fame and accolades across the whole of Britain and beyond.

He was honoured nationally and locally. The pair were made Freemen of the City of Leeds in 2023 and Leeds City Council said in tribute on Sunday: “We are deeply saddened by the passing of Rob Burrow — a freeman of our city, and a hero to so many both on and off the rugby field.

“Rob’s performances for Leeds Rhinos alongside English and Great British rugby league had already secured his legendary status as one of the sport’s true greats, before he faced the toughest of battles against motor neurone disease with tremendous courage, bravery and dignity.

“His campaigning to raise awareness of MND, and to raise millions to fund a specialist motor neurone disease care centre in our city, has been truly inspirational, leading thousands to join him, his family and friend Kevin Sinfield on their journey by taking part in the Rob Burrow Marathon to raise millions for charity.

“Rob’s achievements transcend sport and the city of Leeds.

“His own words ‘in a world full of adversity, we must dare to dream’ already adorn a mural in the city centre, and over the coming weeks we will find a fitting way to ensure Rob’s legacy and achievements live on in Leeds.

“For now, our thoughts are with Rob’s wife Lindsey and his children, his family and friends, and everyone who knew him.”

Burrow’s family and Sinfield were with him when he died in Pinderfields Hospital in Wakefield on Sunday.