Kevin Sinfield has paid tribute to former Leeds Rhinos teammate Rob Burrow after the 41-year-old sadly passed away following his fight with Motor Neurone Disease.
Sinfield was alongside Burrow when he announced the news of his diagnosis back in December 2019 live on BBC Breakfast, there to console him as he teared up and he has been there in the four-and-a-half years since.
Standing side by side with Burrow marked a continuation of his career for Sinfield with the pair uniting for so many special Leeds Rhinos moments, not least seven Grand Finals, before Burrow would go on to win an eighth without his partner in crime.
He might have been without Sinfield for Grand Final number eight but he had him there during his toughest test, his fight against MND, for which Sinfield went above and beyond to help fundraise and raise awareness.
For Sinfield, he was simply running for a mate. For the general public, he took the message to the masses and in doing so raised millions. For Burrow, he was undoubtedly a source of strength, and vice versa.
After confirmation came from Leeds Rhinos that Rob Burrow had sadly passed, they’ve now shared the words of Kevin Sinfield as he reflects on the passing of his “little mate”.
What Kevin Sinfield had to say about Rob Burrow
Credit: Imago Images
Kevin Sinfield has spoken on so many occasions about Rob Burrow during his fight with MND. Only last month did Sinfield speak about running the Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon last year in which he pushed Burrow the 26.2 miles.
On that, he said: “To have the experience of having just over four hours with Rob when pushing him around was something that I’ll never forget. Every moment I get to spend with him is special and that’s not lost on me.”
Following yesterday’s news that Burrow had sadly passed, Sinfield reflected on the wonderful bond that the pair had shared.
Leeds Rhinos posted his statement on their social media, in which he said: “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 lovely 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 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 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”
For information on how to donate to help build the Rob Burrow Centre for MND, click here.
