Rob Burrow’s wife Lindsey ‘incredibly proud’ of husband

Rob Burrow’s wife Lindsey Burrow says she is “incredibly proud” of her husband and vowed to keep his “legacy alive”.

Rugby league legend Burrow, 41, died on Sunday after battling motor neurone disease (MND) since 2019.

In a statement, Mrs Burrow said everyone was “deeply saddened by the loss of our devoted husband and father”.

Earlier Monday, members of Burrow’s family oversaw the start of construction on an MND treatment center named after him.

Burrow’s diagnosis came two years after he retired from the game, with his 17-year career with Leeds Rhinos and Great Britain including eight Super League Grand Final wins, three World Club Challenges and two Challenge Cups.

Burrow and Lindsey, who married in 2006, have three children – Jackson, Maya and Macy.

Mrs Burrow wrote: “Although I knew this day would come, I am still speechless that our loving, kind and caring husband and father is gone.

“However, we are comforted by how much people’s continued love and support have meant to Rob during his most vulnerable times.”

She thanked the rugby league community and others for their “outpouring of love” since his diagnosis and praised the MND team in Leeds and staff at Pinderfields Hospital in Wakefield.

Ms Burrow concluded: “It was simply the best. Our hero”.

Before he died, Burrow told his parents and sisters that he still wanted the dedication ceremony at Seacroft Hospital in Leeds to go ahead.

His parents Geoff and Irene Burrow attended the event with their daughters Claire and Joanne, as well as Burrow’s close friend and former Leeds Rhinos team-mate Kevin Sinfield.

The center is being built using millions of pounds raised by Burrow and Sinfield.

Irene Burrow said her son made it clear he wanted the planned event to take place on Monday.

She told the BBC: “He was asked, we were all there and he used his eyes.

“There was no hesitation. He wanted this to go forward.

“The sooner they can do that, the better for everyone.

“He’s going to watch today and we’ve all pulled together because that’s what Rob would have wanted.”

Geoff Burrow added: “The center is a breakthrough for people with MND, so it’s not the hell on Earth it was.

“It’s going to be a good future for MND sufferers, we’re going to make sure of that, Rob wants.”

Construction is expected to take a year and the charity remains focused on raising the final £1m of its target.

Speaking after the ceremony, Sinfield said: “We all lose special people, but it’s very, very, very rare to lose someone who is so special to so many different people.

“It’s still pretty raw. It will leave a huge hole.

“But what’s really important is that Rob Burrow lives on forever and I’m sure the MND community and all those who have supported us in the past will ensure that Rob’s name is at the forefront of everything we do going forward. “

The Prince of Wales was also among those who paid tribute, describing Burrow as a “rugby league legend” who had “a huge heart”.

William said: “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, who last year recognized Burrow’s MND campaign with a Points of Light award, said he was “honoured” to have spent some time with him.

“Rob was an inspiration to all who knew him or who heard his incredible story,” Mr. Sunak told X.

Labor leader Sir Keir Starmer paid tribute to Burrow and his “incredible legacy” on X.

“Rob leaves behind an incredible legacy in his work to raise awareness and support for those with motor neurone disease,” said Sir Keir.

Burrow’s former team-mate Jamie Jones-Buchanan at Leeds Rhinos visited Headingley Stadium on Monday morning to pay his respects.

Fans gathered at Leeds Stadium to lay flowers at the news.

He said: “Rob was a shining light and the spirit of Leeds, to quote some of the tributes left at the John Holmes statue.

“His legacy is one of courage, to do it for a partner with a partner, to be brave, to stand up and fight for what you believe in and Rob has done that both on and off the pitch and that will not never leave this club, this Town.”

He added: “Rob has transcended sport and through the media has been able to deliver his message of love, altruism and goodwill.”

Esther Wakeman, chief executive of Leeds Hospitals Charity, said: “We are devastated to hear that our patron Rob Burrow has sadly passed away.

“Rob was an inspiration, not only to the people of Yorkshire, but to the whole nation and the world.”

The charity has confirmed that £5.8m has been raised to build a specialist center for people living with MND and their families.

Ms Wakeman said the center would be a place where people “would look and know it was part of Rob Burrow’s life”.

She added: “We still have £1m to raise but we are confident the community will continue to support this.

“This is something that will sit there for many years supporting patients and their families – and that’s what Rob wanted.”