Leeds Rhinos confirm former player Rob Burrow CBE has died

Burrow, who was aged 41, was a legend in rugby league and at Headingley Stadium, winning eight Super League titles across 17 seasons in the game.

He was diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND) in 2019, just two years after retiring.

Leeds Rhinos said on X just after 6pm today: "It is with deep sadness that the club can confirm that former player Rob Burrow CBE has passed away, aged 41."

Burrow died "peacefully" at Pinderfield's Hospital near his home, surrounded by his family, after becoming ill earlier this week, according to the club.

The Rhinos shared a heartfelt tribute alongside a picture of Burrow lifting a Super League trophy for the club.

It said: "Rob has always been a true inspiration throughout his life, whether that was on the rugby league field or during his battle with MND (motor neurone disease).

"He never allowed others to define what he could achieve and believed in his own ability to do more.

"The outpouring of love and support that Rob and the whole Burrow family have received over the last four and a half years meant so much to Rob.

"In particular, the rugby league family and the MND community have rallied around Rob to inspire him, thank you for your support.

"For those who knew Rob throughout his life, his determination and spirit in the face of MND over the last four and a half years came 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, we must dare to dream."

Rob Burrow CBE (Image: PA)

Burrow raised millions to help build a new care centre for MND patients - The Rob Burrow Centre for MND in Leeds - alongside former team-mate Kevin Sinfield.

He has inspired nearly £20 million in fundraising across the UK and Ireland and raised awareness ever since Burrow and his family decided to open their doors after his diagnosis to show the impact of the disease.

Burrow has inspired two award-winning documentaries, wrote a best-selling autobiography, hosted an award-winning podcast and was handed a CBE by HRH Prince William at AMT Headingley in January 2023. 

The MND association issued a statement following the news of Burrow's death, who was a patron of the organisation.

It said: Burrow “lived with this brutal disease in the public eye after choosing to announce his diagnosis shortly before Christmas 2019.

"He used every opportunity to raise awareness of the disease, speaking publicly, undertaking media interviews and opening his life up in two moving BBC documentaries My Year With MND and Rob Burrow: Living With MND.

“He remained a consistent and passionate advocate for people with MND – he became the first person to use a communications aid to read a bedtime story on CBeebies.

"And he joined the United To End MND coalition which successfully campaigned for a £50 million Government investment in targeted MND research”.

Rob Burrow alongside wife Lindsey, who ran the half marathon in May, daughters Macy and Maya and Kevin Sinfield (Image: PA)

It added: “It is testament to the strength of feeling people have for Rob that the support in his name has never wavered.

“The MND Association is incredibly grateful to Rob and his family for helping to raise awareness of MND, and funds for the Association, by sharing the details of their journey and by inspiring so many people both within the MND community and the wider public.”

Burrow came through Leeds Rhinos' academy ranks to make his debut in 2011.

He was part of the team that ended a 32-year wait to win the Championship with victory in the Grand Final in 2004 - the first of eight in total for the Rhinos legend.

In total he made 492 appearances for the club, placing him in fifth in the club’s all-time list of career appearances, and was capped 15 times by England.

He scored 196 tries for a total of 1,103 points.

Leeds Rhinos said: "On behalf of the Burrow family, we would like to thank the staff at Pindersfield Hospital for their compassion and caring for Rob in his final days.

"Fittingly, as a tribute to the incredible work done by Rob, the groundbreaking of the new Rob Burrow Centre for MND at Seacroft Hospital on Monday will go ahead as planned at Rob's request.

"At this time, we would ask that everyone respect the privacy of the Burrow family. 

"Well-wishers who wish to pay their respects to Rob can do so in the South Stand at Rob's beloved Headingley Stadium, with the gates open from Sunday evening for visitors to come."