KEVIN Sinfield CBE has led a flood of tributes to Rob Burrow CBE, who died aged 41 on Sunday after being diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND) four-and-a-half years ago.
Leeds Rhinos announced on X just after 6pm last night that their former player and rugby league legend had passed away "peacefully" at Pinderfields Hospital near his home.
The club said he was surrounded by his family, after becoming ill earlier last week.
Sinfield, 43, has raised millions of pounds over the years in support of his best friend and former teammate and completed an ultra-marathon challenge last December, where he ran 28 miles in seven different cities over seven days.
The 43-year-old said last night the world has lost “a great man and a wonderful friend”, describing his Burrow as a “beacon of hope and inspiration” since his motor neurone disease diagnosis.
In a statement posted on X by Leeds Rhinos, Sinfield said: “Today was the day that I hoped would never come.
“The world has lost a great man and a wonderful friend to so so many.
“You fought so bravely until the end and became a beacon of hope and inspiration, not only for the MND (motor neurone disease) 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 lovely parents Geoff & Irene, sisters Joanne and Claire and your wider family and friends.”
Sinfield added: “You will continue to inspire me every single day.
“I have lost a dear friend and I 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 4 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.”
Prince William also shared a personally signed message on X.
He said: “A legend of Rugby League, 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. W.”
Broadcaster Dan Walker interviewed Burrow when he was a presenter on BBC Breakfast.
He said: “He was the little fella who made a massive impact on the pitch and an even bigger one off it.
“Rob Burrow taught us so much in the way he dealt with his MND diagnosis and inspired millions with his continued determination and desire to make a difference for others.
“Sending all my love to Lindsey and their kids, his sisters, his mum and dad and all those who will miss him so much.”
Burrow was diagnosed with MND in December 2019, just two years after retiring from an illustrious 17-year career with Leeds Rhinos, where he won eight Super League titles.
Large crowds of people gathered at Headingley Stadium last night to pay tribute to Burrow, with flowers and shirts bearing the superstar's name being laid at the ground.
The rugby league legend inspired nearly £20 million in fundraising across the UK and Ireland, which helped build The Rob Burrow Centre for MND in Leeds.
Burrow and his family also helped raise awareness when they decided to open their doors after his diagnosis to show the impact of the disease.
The chief executive of the MND Association said 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, first met Burrow when she came into the role, and said she was "struck by his humour, his practical approach to the disease" and "the twinkle in his eye".
She told the PA news agency: “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.”
The Darby Rimmer MND Foundation said last night: "Everyone at Darby Rimmer MND Foundation is heartbroken and devastated to hear the sad news that our great friend Rob Burrow has passed away.
"Our thoughts are with lindsey, Macy, Maya, Jackson and family. Rest easy Rob x."
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