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
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.
Leeds City Council chief executive lays flowers
Sea of number 7s
Rugby shirts printed with the number 7 - Rob Burrow’s iconic former Rhinos jersey number - have been laid around Headingley Stadium by fans.
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.”
'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."
'So many people loved him'
Steve Everett, 37, from Castleford, was among those laying flowers at the stadium.
He wore a number seven shirt and told the YEP: "Rob was rugby through and through. So many people loved him.
“He was also a real family man and an inspiration. We were in Wembley for the last time he played, so it's amazing to know that I saw that."
More detail on Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease
The new £6 million Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease (MND) in Leeds will be a state-of-the-art facility designed to support the complex needs of those with the illness.
Work began at the site at Seacroft Hospital on Monday.
Since Burrow’s MND diagnosis in 2019, the former Leeds Rhinos player had been spearheading a £6.8m charity appeal for Leeds Hospitals Charity, where he received care, to build the centre to support those living with the incurable disease.
The purpose-built centre has been designed to provide cohesive care for MND patients.
The building will provide specialist areas for speech and language therapy, dietetics, neurology, respiratory and palliative care.
Once complete, it will also house a therapy space, procedure room and an area for patients to “bank” their own voices if they use a digital aid to support communication.
Families and carers of those with MND will also be supported at the centre.
The site, which is more than 1,000 square metres, will have wheelchair accessible parking and a landscaped garden.
Views of patients, families and carers and the needs of clinical staff and other specialist services have all been incorporated in the design of the facility.
Since Burrow’s death was announced on Sunday night, the fundraising appeal for the centre has received more than 1,000 donations.
The build is expected to take around a year.
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