Leeds Rhinos fans pay emotional tribute to Rob Burrow at Headingley following his death

Leeds Rhinos fans gathered at Headingley following the death of club legend Rob Burrow.

It was announced on Sunday that Burrow had died at the age of 41. The former England international battled motor neurone disease (MND) after retiring from rugby and raised millions of pounds with former team-mate Kevin Sinfield for charity.

Burrow spent his entire career at Leeds where he won eight Super League Grand Finals, three World Club Challenges and two Challenge Cups.

And fans of the club gathered outside Leeds Rhinos’ stadium on Sunday night to pay their respects and leave tributes following the news of Burrow’s death.

The Burrow family released a statement on Sunday which was also shared on the Leeds Rhinos website. It reads: “It is with deep sadness that we announce the death of our beloved son, husband, father, brother and friend.

“Rob has always been a true inspiration throughout his life, whether it was on the rugby league field or during his battle with MND (motor neurone disease). He never let others define what he could achieve and believed in his own ability to do more. .

“The outpouring of love and support that Rob and the entire Burrow family have received over the past four and a half years has meant so much to Rob. In particular, the rugby league family and the MND community rallied around Rob to inspire him, thank you. for your support.

“For those who have known Rob throughout his life, his determination and spirit in the face of mnd over the past four and a half years has come as no surprise.

“Rob never accepted that he couldn’t do something, he just found his own way of doing it better than anyone else. He will continue to inspire us all every day. In a world full of adversity, you have to we dare to dream.”

The Prince of Wales joined hundreds of others in paying tribute to Burrow following his death on Sunday night. William awarded Burrow and Sinfield CBEs for their fundraising efforts earlier this year.

In a post on X, William wrote: “A rugby league legend, Rob Burrow had a huge heart. He taught us “in a world full of adversity, we must dare to dream.” Catherine and I send our love to Lindsey, Jackson, Maya and Macy.”

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak wrote on X: “Rob was an inspiration to all who knew him or who heard his incredible story. I was honored to spend some time with him last year.

“He has led a fundraising campaign that supports vital new research that improves the care of others – not least through the creation of the Rob Burrow Center for Motor Neurone Disease in Leeds. He left behind an amazing legacy and my thoughts are with his friends and family. “

Burrow’s former team-mate Jamie Peacock paid tribute on Instagram. He wrote: “We all knew this day would come, it would always be too soon and none of us wanted to think about it.

“Robbery in a sport where courage, grit and grit characterize every player at the absolute top, you were the bravest, bravest and grittiest of them all.

“And a sense of humor to match, I will always remember you holding court in a dressing room, having men twice as great because of your take-no-prisoners spirit.

“The world outside of Rugby League has witnessed first-hand your bravery, courage, care and sense of humor in the most difficult situations of your inspirational battle with this brutal disease.

“Becoming an inspiration to 1000’s and a pole star to the MND community, offering hope where there was none before. Never complain about your condition and situation.

“Small in physical stature, but an unparalleled giant in character, heart, spirit, endurance, courage, determination, humor and courage. “An inspiration to us all. RIP my friend.”