Rob Burrow urged people not to waste a single moment and expressed hope for one day a world without motor neuron disease in his final recorded message before his death.
The Leeds Rhinos great died aged 41 on Sunday after devoting the last four-and-a-half years of his life to raising money and awareness for Ministry of Defense causes after being diagnosed with the disease in December 2019.
In a specially recorded message BBC recorded There is only one Rob BurrowThe eight-time winner of the Super League Grand Final, broadcast on Monday night, shared the lessons he learned from his battle with the Ministry of Defence.
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Rugby league legend Rob Burrow has died aged 41.
“I hope that one day we can find a cure and live in a world without the Department of Defense,” Burrows said. “By the time you see this movie, I won’t be here anymore.
“I’m a lad from Yorkshire who has achieved his dream of playing rugby league.
“As a father of three young children, I would never want any family to go through what my family has gone through following a diagnosis.
“I hope it leaves a mark on the bottle. I want to show people living in the moment. I hope you find inspiration throughout the story.
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Rob Burrow and his family took on Sky Sports' coverage of Leeds Rhinos and Huddersfield Giants in June 2023 to raise awareness of motor neurone disease.
“My final message to you is to fight bravely, whatever your personal battle is. Every day is precious. Don't waste a single moment. Even in a world full of adversity, we must still be able to dream. do.
“Rob Burrows, keep going.”
Those thoughts were echoed by former England captain Sam Burgess, one of many rugby league figures to pay tribute to Burrow.
Burgess' father Mark died 17 years ago after being diagnosed with MND and the Warrington Wolves manager understood from personal experience what the Burrow family faced.
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Kevin Sinfield, who has died aged 41, described his friend and former team-mate Rob Burrow CBE as a 'legend'.
“I know firsthand what the Burrow family has gone through because we lost our father in 2007 and it is a tragic disease,” Burgess said. “I can’t appreciate more than anyone else the impact Rob has had on the Department of Defense community.
“As I was working, I took a moment to reflect and think about what it all was all about and what was really important. I tried not to waste too much energy on friendships, memories, family, health, and other important things that weren’t that important.
“It’s a great time to reflect and also a great time to celebrate what a special person Rob Burrow was.”
As well as playing against him in Super League, Burgess played alongside Burrow in England and England, while his older brother Luke was a team-mate of the scrumhalf or hooker at Leeds.
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Jamie Jones-Buchanan pays tribute to former Leeds Rhinos team-mate Rob Burrow CBE and shares his favorite memories of the rugby league legend.
The former South Sydney Rabbitohs player has also seen the impact Burrow's campaign has had on people battling MND in Australia.
“I think he has had an impact on the Department of Defense community globally,” Burgess said. “I think he touched a lot of lives here and in Australia.
“There are great things we can all celebrate Rob for, but sadly it cost him his life.
“He was a brave man. He attacked adversity in life the same way he did in sports.
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Rugby fans arrived at Headingley to pay tribute to former Leeds Rhinos star Rob Burrow CBE.
“They say he has the heart of a lion at play. Well, he has the heart of thousands of lions facing motor neuron disease. We should all take a moment to think about that and celebrate what a special person Rob is. .”
Burrow tribute planned for Challenge Cup final
The Betfred Challenge Cup final at Wembley on Saturday will see the rugby league community pay tribute to Burrow.
Full plans to celebrate the Leeds icon's life will be announced on Wednesday, but it has already been confirmed that a minute's silence will take place ahead of the men's and women's finals.
Fans at Wembley are also encouraged to attend each match played on the day, including the Year 7 Champion Schools final and the 1895 Cup final, with one minute of applause after seven minutes representing Burrow's shirt number.
“Saturday provides an opportunity to celebrate his life for everyone in the stadium and the TV audience,” said Rhodri Jones, managing director of RL Commercial.
“All eight competing teams will pay their respects to Rob and show their support for his battle with motor neurone disease.
“There will be a minute's silence as part of the pre-match ceremonies for each of the two Challenge Cup finals, and we will ask everyone in the stadium to join in for a minute of applause at the end of the seven minutes in each of the four finals being played on the day. .”
