Wigan to wear specially embroidered shirt in support of Rob Burrow

Wigan players will wear specially embroidered shirts when they face Leeds this Sunday in support of former Rhinos scrum-half Rob Burrow, who is currently battling Motor Neurone Disease.

Each shirt will be personal to the player wearing it and will feature a word they would use to best describe Burrow, who won eight Super League titles throughout his 17-year career.

Words including ‘legend’, ‘inspirational’ and ‘brave’ are among those chosen by the Warriors players, and the shirts will be auctioned off after the game with proceeds going to the Rob Burrow fund.

Wigan Warriors executive director, Kris Radlinski: “We have always said that we would do something for Rob when Wigan played Leeds in Super League. Rather than just a financial gesture, we felt that it was important to let Rob know just what an impact that he had on his fellow players during his time as a player, and his inspirational approach and conduct since his diagnosis.

“We were all devastated when we heard about Rob’s condition but typically and expectedly, we came together to support him in such a unique way. I have never seen such an outpouring of emotion from a sport to one of its own. I hope that Rob gains great strength, safe in the knowledge that he is constantly in our thoughts at Wigan and we are all with him on this journey.”

❤️ Inspirational
👊 Brave
🙌 Legend

😍 Our players will be wearing special embroidered shirts for Sunday’s @SuperLeague game against @leedsrhinos in support of Leeds’ legend @Rob7Burrow.#WWRL pic.twitter.com/peBDo5sZUE

— Wigan Warriors 🍒⚪️ (@WiganWarriorsRL) August 13, 2020

Warriors captain Sean O’Loughlin, who has chosen to have ‘inspirational’ embroidered on his jersey, added: “To have that symbol embroidered on the shirt is pretty special and I think the boys will wear the shirt with pride. It’s nice of the Club to acknowledge what Rob and his family are going through.

“Rob’s a pretty special character in the sport – whether you know him or not – he’s small in stature but big in personality and was always big in performances throughout his career. He’s a symbolic figure in the Super League era and for the boys to get a word on the shirt that they see Rob as is a nice touch and a good way to show our support.”

Leeds’ director of rugby Kevin Sinfield said: “On behalf of everyone involved at Leeds Rhinos and our great friend Rob Burrow, I would like to say a heart felt thank you to the Wigan club for this fantastic gesture.

“Throughout 2020 we have seen time and time again the special qualities our game has whether that is the support for Rob and Mose Masoe or how fans and players have dealt with the coronavirus lockdown and it shows how strong we are together. I know this will mean a lot to Rob and his family.”

Details of how to bid on the jerseys will be released in due course.

For more information on the Rob Burrow Fund, click here.