Rob Burrow’s greatest pal Kevin Sinfield who memorably carried him over a marathon ending line says he was ‘the hardest and bravest man I’ve ever met’ in emotional tribute

Rob Burrow’s greatest pal Kevin Sinfield who memorably carried him over a marathon ending line has paid tribute to the late rugby icon.

Sinfield remembered his former Leeds Rhinos teammate and pal Rob Burrow as ‘the hardest and bravest man I’ve ever met’.

It was introduced tonight that the inspirational former rugby star and motor neurone illness sufferer died aged 41 at Pinderfields Hospital close to his dwelling surrounded by his household after turning into in poor health earlier within the week. 

The rugby participant was identified with the illness in 2019, simply two years after retiring from a 17-season league profession.

Burrow, a fan favorite, gained eight Tremendous League titles with Leeds however after being identified with the sickness, he devoted himself to elevating consciousness and funds for the MND group.

He did so with the help of former Leeds teammate Sinfield, who later posted a touching tribute.

In an announcement posted on X by the rugby league membership, his grieving pal mentioned: ‘Right this moment was the day that I hoped would by no means come.

‘The world has misplaced an important man and an exquisite pal to so so many.

‘You fought so bravely till the top and have become a beacon of hope and inspiration, not just for the MND (motor neurone illness) group however for all those that noticed and heard your story.

‘My love and ideas go to your stunning household, Lindsey, Macy, Maya, and Jackson, to your beautiful dad and mom Geoff and Irene, sisters Joanne and Claire and your wider household and buddies.

‘You’ll proceed to encourage me each single day.

‘I’ve misplaced an expensive pal and I’ll always remember the particular occasions we shared each on and off the pitch.

‘I might at all times say that you just had been pound for pound the hardest participant I ever performed alongside, nevertheless since your analysis, you had been the hardest and bravest man I’ve ever met.

‘The final 4 and a half years you confirmed the world what dwelling and loving appeared like and this was at all times carried out with the most important smile in your face.

‘I’ll miss you my little mate. All my love, Kev X.’

Final yr, Sinfield and Burrow made headlines after emotional scenes.

After being pushed across the 26-mile course of the Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon in a wheelchair, Burrow was carried the rest within the arms of his former teammate.

The pair had been clearly emotional as they crossed the end line to very large cheers from the watching crowds.

Sinfield was photographed as he gave his former teammate a kiss of affection to mark the second they crossed the road.

It comes after the Prince and Princess of Wales tonight led the tributes to Burrow.

The official X account of Prince William and Princess Kate posted a touching message and expressed their condolences to the courageous legend’s household.

The put up learn: ‘A legend of Rugby League, Rob Burrow had an enormous coronary heart.

‘He taught us, ‘in a world stuffed with adversity, we should dare to dream’. Catherine and I ship our like to Lindsey, Jackson, Maya and Macy.’ It was signed off with a W for William.

Coronary heart-wrenching tributes have tonight poured in for the ‘hero’ who ‘by no means allowed others to outline what he might obtain’.

A press release on behalf of his household mentioned he continues to ‘encourage us all day by day,’ including that ‘in a world stuffed with adversity, we should dare to dream.’ 

Broadcaster Dan Walker posted on X to ‘ship all my love’ to the grieving household and mentioned the rugby legend ‘taught us all a lot’ along with his ‘continued dedication and need to make a distinction for others’.

Presenter and ex-footballer Chris Kamara posted: ‘What a trooper Rob was. He fought an actual battle with MND. 

‘Rob raised consciousness and funds, regardless of his situation, for different individuals to profit from. The affect he leaves might be lengthy lasting. RIP Rob what a hero.’

Paying tribute right this moment. the MND Affiliation mentioned: ‘Our ideas right this moment are with Rob’s spouse Lindsey, kids Macy, Maya and Jackson, household and buddies and the rugby group.

‘Rob, who performed at quantity 7 for Leeds Rhinos, lived with this brutal illness within the public eye after selecting to announce his analysis shortly earlier than Christmas 2019. 

‘He used each alternative to boost consciousness of the illness, talking publicly, enterprise media interviews and opening his life up in two transferring BBC documentaries My Yr With MND and Rob Burrow: Dwelling With MND.’

The charity referred to as the rugby star a ‘constant and passionate advocate’ within the touching assertion.

A GoFundMe arrange in his honour has reached an unbelievable £120,308 in donations – with the highest being a beneficiant £4,823.

The crew fundraiser paid tribute to the ‘fearless and revered’ participant who was a ‘robust competitor on the sector’ and ‘gave his all for the crew’.

A press release posted on behalf of his household learn: ‘It’s with deep disappointment that we announce the dying of our beloved son, husband, father, brother and pal.

‘Rob has at all times been a real inspiration all through his life, whether or not that was on the Rugby league subject or throughout his battle with MND.

‘He by no means allowed others to outline what he might obtain and believed in his personal means to do extra.

‘The outpouring of affection and help that Rob and the entire Burrow household have obtained during the last 4 and a half years meant a lot to Rob.

‘Specifically, the Rugby League Household and the MND group have rallied round Rob to encourage him, thanks to your help.’

They concluded the touching tribute by saying: ‘He’ll proceed to encourage us all day by day. In a world stuffed with adversity, we should dare to dream.’

The Leeds Rhinos expressed their ‘deep disappointment’ on the information for his or her courageous former crew mate.

The rugby legend spent his total membership profession with Leeds and made greater than 400 appearances between 2001 and 2017.

Burrow was capped 15 occasions by England and performed 5 Exams for Nice Britain, however he was greatest generally known as a part of the crew that gained the Tremendous League in 2004.

It ended the membership’s 32-year look forward to a title, and he was then named Man of the Match within the Rhinos’ 2007 and 2011 achievements.

The crew’s touching tribute tonight mentioned: ‘Rob impressed all the nation along with his courageous battle towards Motor Neurone Illness (MND) since his analysis in December 2019. He handed away peacefully at Pinderfield’s Hospital close to his dwelling surrounded by his loving household after turning into in poor health earlier this week.

‘Burrow performed his total profession with Leeds Rhinos and gained each honour with the membership as a part of their golden technology. A tough working and devoted participant, his fearless performances made him one of the crucial revered gamers within the Rhinos ranks.’

Dan Walker posted on X in response to the unhappy information: ‘He was the little fella who made an enormous affect on the pitch and an excellent larger one off it. 

‘Rob Burrow taught us a lot in the best way he dealt along with his MND analysis and impressed thousands and thousands along with his continued dedication and need to make a distinction for others. Sending all my like to Lindsey and their youngsters, his sisters, his mum and pa and all those that will miss him a lot.’

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak paid tribute: ‘Rob was an inspiration to everybody who met him or who heard his unbelievable story. I used to be honoured to spend a while with him final yr. 

‘He drove a fundraising marketing campaign that helps very important new analysis bettering the look after others – not least by means of the creation of The Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Illness in Leeds. He leaves behind a tremendous legacy and my ideas are along with his family and friends.’

Labour chief Keir Starmer referred to as it ‘extraordinarily unhappy’ and posted on X: ‘Rob leaves behind an unbelievable legacy in his work to boost consciousness and advocate for these with Motor Neurone Illness. My ideas are along with his household and buddies by means of this time.’

Piers Morgan referred to as it ‘extremely unhappy information’.

He posted on X: ‘A exceptional man who fought wretched Motor Neurone Illness with such braveness, fortitude and dedication. He raised a lot cash, and a lot consciousness, and helped so many different individuals. RIP Rob.’

BBC Breakfast editor Richard Frediani additionally posted to name Burrow ‘the best of males’ describing him as a ‘champion on and off the pitch’. 

The MND Affiliation’s assertion learn: ‘In doing a lot, he impressed help from so many. On the weekend of the Problem Cup Last in October 2020, followers and supporters donated an unbelievable £70,000 to the MND Affiliation. 

‘Simply two months later, Rob’s former captain Kevin Sinfield CBE took on the primary of 4 unbelievable challenges elevating greater than £7 million for MND charities, together with the MND Affiliation. 

‘Rob and Kev’s friendship made headline information around the globe. 1000’s of well-wishers, not simply in rugby’s heartland, however throughout the nation donated, took on fundraising challenges and pledged help in tribute to Rob’s bravery.

‘Rob’s contribution to rugby league and consciousness of MND had been recognised within the 2021 New Yr’s Honours Listing when he was made an MBE and that very same yr Rob accepted the position of patron of the MND Affiliation. Rob was subsequently awarded a CBE within the 2024 New Yr’s Honours listing.

‘It’s testomony to the energy of feeling individuals have for Rob that the help in his title has by no means wavered.

‘The MND Affiliation is extremely grateful to Rob and his household for serving to to boost consciousness of MND, and funds for the Affiliation, by sharing the main points of their journey and by inspiring so many individuals each throughout the MND group and the broader public.’

Burrow rose by means of the Leeds membership’s Academy ranks to make his debut in 2001. 

In 2004, he was a part of the Leeds crew that ended a 32-year wait to win the Championship with victory within the Grand Last. 

It was the primary of eight Grand Last wins for Burrow together with profitable the Man of the Match award within the 2007 and 2011 Outdated Trafford showpieces. The 2011 sport included his breathtaking strive that’s nonetheless considered the best Grand Last strive ever scored.

In complete he made 492 appearances for the membership, putting him in fifth within the membership’s all-time listing of profession appearances. 

The rugby star gained the Problem Cup at Wembley in 2014 and 2015 in addition to three World Membership Challenges and three League Leaders Shields.

Touching tributes to the participant on social media included one from the England Rugby account, which learn: ‘Relaxation in Peace Rob’ with a prayer fingers emoji and a damaged coronary heart.

One other referred to as him a ‘hero’ and skim: ‘He’ll by no means be forgotten. We’ll be certain that of that.’  

A 3rd learn: ‘Hero. The definition of a legend. Ideas along with his household.’

Final month, Burrow paid tribute to his spouse as he mentioned he is performed some robust individuals in his rugby profession, however nobody is ‘as robust’ as Lindsey.

A married father of three younger kids, he was unable to speak however might articulate his ideas by means of Eyegaze, a tool which interprets blinks into letters after which builds them into phrases on a display screen.

The previous captain of the Leeds Rhinos and member of the British rugby league groups paid tribute to his supportive spouse Lindsey on BBC Breakfast.

Lindsey cared for Rob, their three kids and works as an NHS physiotherapist. She has beforehand spoken in regards to the ‘large emotional and bodily challenges’.

Her husband informed BBC Breakfast: ‘I am attempting to not be soppy however among the issues that Lindsey does for me is proof I’ve discovered my one and solely.

‘I’ve performed with some robust gamers in my rugby profession however nobody is as robust a character than Lindsey. I hope that can encourage individuals to be extra like her…what a world that might be.’

In 2019, the Prince of Wales informed him that ‘we’re all so pleased with you’ whereas visiting Headingley Stadium in Leeds – to current the rugby legend along with his CBE.

The royal additionally offered Rob with the medal – nonetheless in its field – as he lauded the previous athlete’s legacy and efforts in campaigning.

‘Thanks and congratulations – for all of the inspirational work you’ve got carried out, Rob,’ Prince William mentioned because the sporting icon was surrounded by his beaming spouse and their kids in a video shared by BBC Breakfast on X.

‘You have been wonderful, you actually have and everybody’s so pleased with you.

‘We have all been following your case. You have modified so many individuals’s lives with MND with what you’ve got carried out. We’re all so pleased with you.’