Rob Burrow’s obituary: rugby league icon and campaigner for motor neurone disease | Rugby League News

Rob Burrow may have only stood 5ft 5in, but during his lifetime he was a towering figure both on and off the rugby league field.

Born in Pontefract in 1982, Burrow got his start in the sport with community club Featherstone Lions and was signed by the club he would spend his entire professional career with, Leeds Rhinos, as an academy player in 1999.

He made his professional debut for the Rhinos at the age of 18 in an 18–16 home defeat to Hull FC in April 2001, and his talent was recognized in that first season by being named Super League Young Player of the Year of the Super League. year.

Proving as adept as both half-scum and prostitute, Burrow would become a key member of Leeds’ ‘Golden Generation’, which swept all before them.

His first of eight Super League Grand Final triumphs came off the bench in 2004 and the following year he was among the try scorers as the Rhinos claimed World Club Challenge glory with a 39- 32 to Australian NRL champions Canterbury Bulldogs.

Burrow’s influential role in Leeds’ 2007 Grand Final triumph over St Helens would see him win the Harry Sunderland Man of the Match Trophy, and he started in the 2008 and 2009 triumphs and the showpiece at Old Trafford.

However, the most iconic moment of his career came in the 2011 Grand Final, with his stunning solo try to set Leeds on their way to a 32-16 victory over Saints. His night was capped off by joining an elite group of players to also receive the Harry Sunderland Trophy twice.

Back-to-back Challenge Cup triumphs at Wembley in 2014 and 2015 were followed by two more Grand Final successes in 2015 and 2017, with Burrow calling time on his playing career after the latter.

In total, he made 492 appearances for Leeds, scoring 196 tries and kicking 157 goals. Internationally, he was capped five times by Great Britain and was in the England squads for both the 2008 and 2013 Rugby World Cups.

As well as being part of eight Super League Grand Final wins, two Challenge Cup wins and three World Club Challenge successes, Burrow was named in the Super League Dream Team in 2005, 2007 and 2008.

After hanging up his boots, he took up a coaching position with the Rhinos, but was diagnosed with motor neurone disease in December 2019.

He made an emotional final appearance at Headingley in January 2020 alongside several members of Leeds’ “Golden Generation” in a pre-season game against their old rivals Bradford Bulls.

Following his diagnosis, Burrow became a tireless campaigner for MND causes, dedicating himself to raising awareness for those affected by the disease and money to build a specialist motor neurone disease care center in Leeds.

Among those supporting his efforts was former teammate Kevin Sinfield, who completed three marathon challenges to raise funds for MND causes.

The pair were both honored in the 2021 Birthday Honors and 2024 New Year’s Honors for their efforts and charitable service to the MND community.

It was also announced in February 2024 that the Super League Grand Final man of the match award would be renamed after Burrow.

Burrow is survived by his wife Lindsey and their three children Macy, Maya and Jackson.

More information about the Rob Burrow Center for Motor Neurone Disease Appeal