Rob Burrow: Emotional documentary released charting life, death and legacy of Leeds Rhinos legend
and live on Freeview channel 276
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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He and former teammate Kevin Sinfield raised millions of pounds towards MND research and the creation of a new dedicated MND centre in Leeds.
High-profile figures across the country have paid touching tributes to Burrow, including Prince William and Sinfield with emotional messages.
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.
Sinfield's emotional message
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
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:
Fans pay respects
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.”
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 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:
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