“Brave beyond words” – Tributes pour in for Rob Burrow

The heartbreaking news that Rob Burrow has passed away was shared today with Burrow’s former club Leeds Rhinos confirming the tragic news.

Burrow played all of his 17-year career with the Headingley club before retiring in 2017 but had lived the past four-and-a-half years of life battling Motor Neurone Disease, a battle he sadly lost today aged just 41.

Breaking the news, Leeds Rhinos stated: “It is with deep sadness that the club can confirm that former player Rob Burrow CBE has passed away, aged 41.”

The club’s statement would continue: “Rob has always been a true inspiration throughout his life whether that was on the rugby field or during his battle with MND (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 a half years meant so much to Rob.”

That outpouring of love has come from all corners of society, such is the huge reach that a story and a man as inspirational as Rob Burrow carried. A rugby league legend turned inspiration. A warrior, a family man, a real-life superhero.

“The impact he leaves will be long lasting” – Tributes pour in for Rob Burrow

Truthfully, the number of tributes and lovely words said about a wonderful man is too many to count, and even so, those words still wouldn’t do justice to what a special person Rob Burrow is.

That said, it doesn’t stop the tributes and love for him and his family from pouring in with rugby league players, fellow sportsmen, media personalities and even royalty sharing kind words about Rob Burrow.

One of those to surmise it best was boxing promoter Eddie Hearn who labelled Burrow as “a real-life hero”.

Rest in peace a real life hero 🙏 https://t.co/fnTehmcaDm

— Eddie Hearn (@EddieHearn) June 2, 2024

Former Premier League great and the competition’s all-time top goalscorer Alan Shearer posted: “Ah man. What a guy. What an inspiration. What a hero. A warrior. A Legend. Sleep easy Rob.”

Another ex-footballer, Chris Kamara, spoke on the huge impact that Rob Burrow carried in his post-playing career, reflecting on all the lives he will improve thanks to the inspirational fundraising he took on during his toughest battle.

Kamara posted on X: “What a trooper Rob was. He fought a real battle with MND. Rob raised awareness & funds, despite his condition, for other people to benefit from. The impact he leaves will be long-lasting. RIP Rob what a hero!”

Former teammate and good friend, Barrie McDermott, posted a short message labelling Burrow as “brave beyond words” and an “inspiration to all who were lucky enough to meet him”.

💔 pic.twitter.com/JToCijwt5W

— Barrie McDermott 🏉 (@RLBarrieMc10) June 2, 2024

Piers Morgan labelled him “a remarkable man who fought wretched Motor Neurone Disease with such courage, fortitude & determination”.

Rob Burrow was awarded his CBE at Headingley earlier this year by Prince William and the official account of the Prince and Princess of Wales posted a touching message about the inspirational lessons that Burrow taught.

“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”

Words don’t do justice to how wonderful Rob Burrow was but the sentiment of them and the amount of people that feel compelled to post them highlight the immense reach that such a small man had.

Rob Burrow will be sorely missed by all but his legacy is assured in the iconic moments on the field and the inspirational battle he fought off it. From all at Serious About Rugby League, Rest in Peace.

For information on how to donate to help complete the building of the Rob Burrow Centre for MND, click here.