Rob Burrow: Emotional documentary released charting life, death and legacy of Leeds Rhinos legend

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Tributes are continuing to pour in for Leeds Rhinos legend Rob Burrow, following his death at the age of 41.

The former Rhinos star was tragically diagnosed with MND (motor neurone disease) in 2019, two years after retiring from Rugby League.

His death has sent shockwaves across the country after his inspirational battle and fighting spirit captured hearts.

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Fans pay tribute outside Headingley Stadium in Leeds to rugby league legend Rob Burrow following his death aged 41.Fans pay tribute outside Headingley Stadium in Leeds to rugby league legend Rob Burrow following his death aged 41.
Fans pay tribute outside Headingley Stadium in Leeds to rugby league legend Rob Burrow following his death aged 41. | SWNS

Supporters and mourners are today laying floral tributes and paying their respects at Headingley Stadium.

Follow our live blog for all the updates.

Rob Burrow tributes

Tributes pour in for Rob Burrow

Tributes are flooding in for Leeds Rhinos legend Rob Burrow after his death was announced last night.

The former Rugby League star died aged 41 following his battle with MND (motor neurone disease).

Tributes are continuing to pour in today as fans gather at Headingley Stadium to pay their respects.

Fans pay tribute outside Headingley Stadium in Leeds to rugby league legend Rob Burrow following his death aged 41.Fans pay tribute outside Headingley Stadium in Leeds to rugby league legend Rob Burrow following his death aged 41.
Fans pay tribute outside Headingley Stadium in Leeds to rugby league legend Rob Burrow following his death aged 41. | SWNS

Kevin Sinfield has paid an emotional tribute to pal Rob.

“You fought so bravely until the end and became a beacon of hope and inspiration, not only for the MND (motor neurone disease) community but for all those who saw and heard your story,” he said.

Read the full tribute here:

Recap of high-profile tributes

Rob Burrow is made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) by the Prince of Wales (right), during a visit to Headingley Stadium, Leeds, to congratulate him and Kevin Sinfield on their efforts to raise awareness of Motor Neurone Disease. Picture date: Thursday January 11, 2024. PA Photo. See PA story ROYAL William. Phil Noble/PA Wire Rob Burrow is made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) by the Prince of Wales (right), during a visit to Headingley Stadium, Leeds, to congratulate him and Kevin Sinfield on their efforts to raise awareness of Motor Neurone Disease. Picture date: Thursday January 11, 2024. PA Photo. See PA story ROYAL William. Phil Noble/PA Wire
Rob Burrow is made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) by the Prince of Wales (right), during a visit to Headingley Stadium, Leeds, to congratulate him and Kevin Sinfield on their efforts to raise awareness of Motor Neurone Disease. Picture date: Thursday January 11, 2024. PA Photo. See PA story ROYAL William. Phil Noble/PA Wire | Phil Noble/PA Wire

Here’s a recap of some of the tributes which have already been paid, including Prince William, who presented Rob with his CBE honour in person in January this year.

The Prince of Wales described him as a “legend of Rugby League” who had a “huge heart”, adding: “He taught us, ‘in a world full of adversity, we must dare to dream’.”

Meanwhile, BBC Breakfast’s Sally Nugent has remembered the late rugby player as the “smallest player on the pitch. But a giant of a man”.

Read our full story below:

Floral tributes at Headingley

Ian Harvey, from Guiseley, was among the fans leaving flowers at Headingley Stadium today.

He said: “I had to come down today. I used to work here in the back room staff so I’d seen Rob come through the academy system.

“You knew even back then he was going to make it. For the size of him, nowt fazed him.

“I just thought it was massively important to come down today.”

He said he was “gutted” when he heard the news about Burrow’s death.

Jamie Jones-Buchanan on 'overwhelming' news

Rugby league coach and former Leeds Rhinos player Jamie Jones-Buchanan said he went to fellow ex-player Kevin Sinfield’s house on Sunday and “knew from his face” that their former team-mate Rob Burrow had died.

Mr Jones-Buchanan said: “I’d gone to pick something up, he’d found out about 45 minutes before. When I saw his face, I could tell.

“He was struggling, really struggling… He’s an emotional guy is Kev.

“The overwhelming thought for me was how important it was for me to spend those moments when I got back home with my wife and kids so I just turned my phone off

“If Rob had another 30 seconds left, I doubt he’d pick up his phone. He’d spend it with Maya, Macy, Jackson and Lindsay, and I thought that’s what I need to do.”

Attending Headingley stadium on Tuesday morning to see the floral tributes, Mr Jones-Buchanan said Mr Burrow had “smashed” expectations after being diagnosed with motor neurone disease.

He added “Every moment was spent doing the right thing, shining a light on the people that needed it the most, and he transcended not just the sport but the nation, and he’s raised millions, he created so much awareness for motor neurone disease.

“He never said ‘Why me?’, he never complained, he never moaned, very stoic. He fought every minute, he was so brave.”

Jamie Jones-Buchanan pictured at Headingley Stadium.Jamie Jones-Buchanan pictured at Headingley Stadium.
Jamie Jones-Buchanan pictured at Headingley Stadium. | SWNS

Work starts today on MND centre in Rob's name

Work on the new £6.8m Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease is set to begin today.

Burrow inspired a huge charity appeal to build a state-of-the-art new facility for people with MND at Seacroft Hospital, which was recently green-lit by councillors.

Leeds Hospitals Charity has confirmed that construction on the centre will begin today as planned.

Read our full story here:

Rob Burrow obituary by Rhinos writer

In case you missed it, here’s Rob Burrow’s obituary, written by Leeds Rhinos writer Peter Smith has watched him so many times over the years.

Re-watch emotional moment from Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon

The emotional moment caught the hearts and minds of millions across the world. Picture: Steve RidingThe emotional moment caught the hearts and minds of millions across the world. Picture: Steve Riding
The emotional moment caught the hearts and minds of millions across the world. Picture: Steve Riding | Steve Riding

The moment Kevin Sinfield carried his friend and former Rhinos teammate Burrow over the finish line of the Leeds Marathon captured hearts across the nation.

The emotional moment, at last year’s inaugural Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon, was shared thousands of times online.

You can re-watch the scenes below:

Rishi Sunak: 'Rob was an inspiration'

Keir Starmer: 'Extremely sad news'

Looking back on Rob's life

YEP Rhinos writer Peter Smith has pulled together a nostalgic pictures gallery, looking back through some of the key moments in Burrow’s career:

Sinfield and Burrow's dad pictured at MND centre opening

Geoff Burrow, Rob’s dad, and Kevin Sinfield, have been pictured at a ground breaking ceremony for the new £6m Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease in Leeds.

The ceremony is taking place today (Monday) just one day after the Rhinos legend’s death.

Geoff Burrow (left), Rob's dad, and Kevin Sinfield, pictured at the Rob Burrow MND Centre ground breaking ceremony today (June 3).Geoff Burrow (left), Rob's dad, and Kevin Sinfield, pictured at the Rob Burrow MND Centre ground breaking ceremony today (June 3).
Geoff Burrow (left), Rob's dad, and Kevin Sinfield, pictured at the Rob Burrow MND Centre ground breaking ceremony today (June 3). | PA

Leeds City Council chief executive lays flowers

Leeds City Council chief executive Tom Riordan, pictured laying flowers in Rob's memory at Headingley Stadium.Leeds City Council chief executive Tom Riordan, pictured laying flowers in Rob's memory at Headingley Stadium.
Leeds City Council chief executive Tom Riordan, pictured laying flowers in Rob's memory at Headingley Stadium. | Steve Riding

Rugby shirts printed with the number 7 - Rob Burrow’s iconic former Rhinos jersey number - have been laid around Headingley Stadium by fans.

Rob Burrow 7 shirts laid in tribute at Headingley Stadium    03=06=2024Rob Burrow 7 shirts laid in tribute at Headingley Stadium    03=06=2024
Rob Burrow 7 shirts laid in tribute at Headingley Stadium 03=06=2024 | Steve Riding

Rob's family say he would be 'looking down and smiling'

Rob Burrow’s family have spoken about the Rhinos legend following his death, at the groundbreaking ceremony of the Rob Burrow Centre for MND at Seacroft Hospital today.

They said he “would be looking down and smiling”.

The former Leeds Rhinos player’s close friend and former team-mate Kevin Sinfield attended the ceremony, along with Burrow’s parents Geoff and Irene Burrow, and his sisters Joanne Hartshorn and Claire Burnett.

Geoff Burrow wiped away a tear as a minute’s silence was held in his son’s memory, before being one of six people to put the first spades in the ground on the site.

The family said Burrow would have wanted them to be there as construction work started on the state-of-the-art purpose-built care centre.

Mrs Burrow said: “I said this is what Rob would want and I think he’d be proud that we all pulled ourselves together and got the strength to come, and we’re doing it for Lindsey and the kids.

“He’ll be looking down on us and he’ll be going ‘thumbs up’. We’re so proud to be here and it’s amazing what you can achieve.”

Mr Burrow said: “It’s amazing what a little man can achieve. You can achieve big things.

“As Rob says, in a world full of adversity you must dare to dream. We’re dreaming of when this opens.”

Ms Hartshorn said the family had been overwhelmed by the tributes to her brother.

“Seeing the outpouring of love on the TV, at Headingley. In a weird way I’ve just done nothing but smile all morning.

“It’s giving us the courage today because that’s what Rob would have wanted. He wanted us to be here today. Last night we were wondering how on earth we were going to be able to do that, but the outpouring of love and everybody’s support has been unbelievable.”

The family paid tribute to Mr Sinfield as a “tremendous guy,” with Mr Burrow saying: “I think what Kevin’s done, everybody else in the world will be looking and valuing their friends a whole lot more.”

Leeds boxer Josh Warrington leaves glove at Headingley

The message on Josh Warrington’s glove said: “You dared to dream and you lived it. An inspiration to so many including myself.”

A signed boxing glove from Josh Warrington laid in tribute to Rob Burrow.A signed boxing glove from Josh Warrington laid in tribute to Rob Burrow.
A signed boxing glove from Josh Warrington laid in tribute to Rob Burrow. | National World

'Rob inspired me to run the race last year'

Mum-of-one Paula Newson, 36, of Holt Park, was among those laying tributes at Headingley Stadium.

She told the YEP: "I've been following Rob's journey ever since he was diagnosed with MND.

“He was a legend and he inspired me to run the race last year. Someone told me last night that he had died and I couldn't believe it. It was a shock."

Paula Newson, 36, of Holt Park, was among those laying tributes at Headingley Stadium.Paula Newson, 36, of Holt Park, was among those laying tributes at Headingley Stadium.
Paula Newson, 36, of Holt Park, was among those laying tributes at Headingley Stadium. | National World

Paula Newson, 36, of Holt Park, was among those laying tributes at Headingley Stadium.Paula Newson, 36, of Holt Park, was among those laying tributes at Headingley Stadium.
Paula Newson, 36, of Holt Park, was among those laying tributes at Headingley Stadium. | National World

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