
Today is Rob Burrow Day, the seventh day of the seventh month, with that number being the one that the Leeds Rhinos legend made famous. In a poignant twist, it’s also his funeral today and here’s how fans can pay their respects to Rugby League and MND’s real-life superhero.
Rob Burrow lost his battle with Motor Neurone Disease on June 2nd, five weeks ago today, with the 41-year-old finally succumbing to the condition after battling bravely for four-and-a-half years.
Since he confirmed his diagnosis back in December 2019, Rob Burrow reminded everyone how they should live life – with a smile on your face and love in your heart. He truly was a real-life superhero and an inspiration for so many.
Only a handful of people can claim that they have made a significant impact on the life of thousands in their career but Rob Burrow did it during and after his career, giving fans 15 years of electric entertainment before almost five years of pure inspiration.
He will now be laid to rest today at a private service for family and friends but members of the public can still get involved, should they wish.
How to celebrate the life of Rob Burrow

Credit: Imago Images
The route for the funeral car was confirmed by Leeds Rhinos and the Burrow family a few weeks ago with fans welcomed to line the streets as he funeral cortege makes its way to Pontefract Crematorium.
That final journey will begin at 1pm with the route being published ahead of time to “give the public the chance to pay their respects before allowing Rob’s family and friends to grieve his loss in private”. One of those is Kevin Sinfield, who left England Rugby Union duty to attend today.
Whilst the funeral will not be live streamed for those reasons, Leeds City Council have confirmed that a Civic reception will take place on Friday at 11am and that will be live streamed.
For fans wanting to line the streets, the route, as confirmed by Leeds Rhinos, is as follows: “The cortege will travel along the A656 (Park Road) passing the Xscape leisure complex on their right as it travels towards the M62 junction. The cars will continue along the A639 towards Pontefract passing Pontefract Racecourse before turning onto Park Lane (B6134) near Pontefract Tanshelf train station.
“The cortege will follow along Ackton Lane into Ackton before turning left onto Sewerbridge Lane and Common Side Lane (B6133) heading towards Featherstone. At the War Horse sculpture, the cars will turn left, slowing for a moment at Featherstone Lions ARLFC’s ground on Wakefield Road (A645). The cortege will slow again as it passes through Featherstone and near to where Rob played his junior rugby. The cars will continue along Pontefract Lane towards the crematorium however we would ask members of the public to leave this part of the journey so the Burrow family can have a few moments to themselves before arriving at the crematorium for the service.”
There has also been a request that flowers aren’t sent but fans can send donations to help the Burrow family and the building of the Rob Burrow Centre for MND, should they wish to.
