The Prince and Princess of Wales (William &Kate) have this night led touching tributes to inspirational former rugby supermegacelebrity and motor neurone sickness victim Rob Burrow who has died elderly 41.
The reliable X account of Prince William and Princess Kate published a touching message and expressed their condolences to the courageous legend`s own circle of relatives.
The publish read: ‘A legend of Rugby League, Rob Burrow had a massive heart.
‘He taught us, “in a global complete of adversity, we have to dare to dream”. Catherine and I ship our like to Lindsey, Jackson, Maya and Macy.’ It become signed off with a W for William.
It become introduced these days that Burrow exceeded away at Pinderfields Hospital close to his domestic surrounded via way of means of his own circle of relatives after turning into unwell in advance withinside the week.
The rugby participant become identified with the sickness in 2019, simply years after retiring from a 17-season league career.
Burrow, a fan favourite, gained 8 Super League titles with Leeds however after being identified with the illness, he devoted himself to elevating consciousness and finances for the MND community.
He did so with the help of former Leeds teammate Kevin Sinfield.
Heart-wrenching tributes have this night poured in for the ‘hero’ who ‘in no way allowed others to outline what he should achieve’.
A declaration on behalf of his own circle of relatives stated he maintains to ‘encourage us all each day,’ including that ‘in a global complete of adversity, we have to dare to dream.’
Broadcaster Dan Walker published on X to ‘ship all my love’ to the grieving own circle of relatives and stated the rugby legend ‘taught us all so much’ with his ‘endured willpower and preference to make a distinction for others’.
Presenter and ex-footballer Chris Kamara published: ‘What a trooper Rob become. He fought a actual warfare with MND.
‘Rob raised consciousness and finances, no matter his condition, for different human beings to gain from. The effect he leaves can be lengthy lasting. RIP Rob what a hero.’
Paying tribute these days. the MND Association stated: ‘Our mind these days are with Rob’s spouse Lindsey, kids Macy, Maya and Jackson, own circle of relatives and buddies and the rugby community.
‘Rob, who performed at range 7 for Leeds Rhinos, lived with this brutal sickness withinside the public eye after deciding on to announce his analysis quickly earlier than Christmas 2019.
‘He used each possibility to elevate consciousness of the sickness, speakme publicly, venture media interviews and beginning his lifestyles up in shifting BBC documentaries My Year With MND and Rob Burrow: Living With MND.’
The charity referred to as the rugby supermegacelebrity a ‘steady and passionate advocate’ withinside the touching declaration.
A GoFundMe installation in his honour has reached an incredible £120,308 in donations – with the pinnacle being a generous £4,823.
The group fundraiser paid tribute to the ‘fearless and respected’ participant who become a ‘difficult competitor at the field’ and ‘gave his taken with the group’.
A declaration published on behalf of his own circle of relatives read: ‘It is with deep disappointment that we announce the demise of our cherished son, husband, father, brother and friend.
‘Rob has always been a true inspiration throughout his life, whether that was on the Rugby league field or during his battle with MND.
‘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 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.’
They concluded the touching tribute by saying: ‘He will continue to inspire us all every day. In a world full of adversity, we must dare to dream.’
The Leeds Rhinos expressed their ‘deep sadness’ at the news for their brave former team mate.
The rugby legend spent his entire club career with Leeds and made more than 400 appearances between 2001 and 2017.
Burrow was capped 15 times by England and played five Tests for Great Britain, but he was best known as part of the team that won the Super League in 2004.
It ended the club’s 32-year wait for a title, and he was then named Man of the Match in the Rhinos’ 2007 and 2011 achievements.
The team’s touching tribute tonight said: ‘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.’
Article posted by Dan Walker
“Rob Barrow taught us so much through his life dealing with his MND diagnosis and inspired millions with his undying determination and desire to make a difference to others. I send my love to Lindsay and her children, his sisters, his mum and dad and all those who miss him so much.” His is an incredible story. It was an honour to spend time with him last year.
“He led fundraising efforts to support important new research that will improve care for others, not least through the establishment of the Rob Barrow Motor Neurone Disease Centre in Leeds. He leaves behind an incredible legacy and my thoughts go out to his friends and family.”
Labour leader Keir Starmer called it “very sad” and posted on X: “Rob left an incredible legacy through his work raising awareness and advocating for people with Motor Neurone Disease. My thoughts are with his family and friends at this time.”
Piers Morgan called it “incredibly sad news”. He posted on
“He raised so much money and attention and helped so many others. Rest in peace Rob.”
BBC Breakfast editor Richard Frediani also called Barrow “the greatest of all human beings” and described him as a “champion on and off the pitch”.
A statement from the MND Association said: During the Challenge Cup final weekend in October 2020, fans and supporters donated an incredible £70,000 to the MND Association.
Just two months later, Rob’s former captain, Kevin Sinfield CBE, took on the first of four incredible challenges, raising more than £7 million for MND charities, including the MND Association.
Rob and Kev’s friendship made headlines around the world. Not just in rugby hotbeds, thousands of good people across the country donated, took part in fundraisers and pledged their support to honour Rob’s bravery.
“Rob’s contribution to rugby league and awareness of MND was recognised in the 2021 New Year Honours List when he was appointed an MBE, and in the same year Rob took on the role of Patron of the MND Association. Rob was subsequently appointed a CBE in the 2024 New Year Honours List.
“It is testament to the strength of people’s feelings towards Rob that their support for him has never waned.
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.’
Burrow rose through the Leeds 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 breathtaking try that is still regarded as the greatest Grand Final try ever scored.
In total he made 492 appearances for the club, placing him in fifth in the club’s all-time list of career appearances.
The rugby star won the Challenge Cup at Wembley in 2014 and 2015 as well as three World Club Challenges and three League Leaders Shields.
Touching tributes to the player on social media included one from the England Rugby account, which read: ‘Rest in Peace Rob’ with a prayer hands emoji and a broken heart.
Another called him a ‘hero’ and read: ‘He’ll never be forgotten. We’ll make sure of that.’
A third read: ‘Hero. The definition of a legend. Thoughts with his family.’
Last month, Burrow paid tribute to his wife as he said he’s played some tough people in his rugby career, but no one is ‘as strong’ as Lindsey.
A married father of three young children, he was unable to talk but could articulate his thoughts through Eyegaze, a device which translates blinks into letters and then builds them into words on a screen.
The former captain of the Leeds Rhinos and member of the British rugby league teams paid tribute to his supportive wife Lindsey on BBC Breakfast.
Her husband told BBC Breakfast: ‘I’m trying not to be soppy but some of the things that Lindsey does for me is proof I’ve found my one and only.
‘I’ve played with some strong players in my rugby career but no one is as strong a personality than Lindsey. I hope that will inspire people to be more like her…what a world that would be.’
In 2019, the Prince of Wales told him that ‘we’re all so proud of you’ while visiting Headingley Stadium in Leeds – to present the rugby legend with his CBE.
The royal also presented Rob with the medal – still in its box – as he lauded the former athlete’s legacy and efforts in campaigning.
‘Thank you and congratulations – for all the inspirational work you’ve done, Rob,’ Prince William said as the sporting icon was surrounded by his beaming wife and their children in a video shared by BBC Breakfast on X.
‘You’ve been amazing, you really have and everyone’s so proud of you.
‘We’ve all been following your case. You’ve changed so many people’s lives with MND with what you’ve done. We’re all so proud of you.’