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The Prince of Wales has described Rob Burrow as a “legend of rugby league” who had a “huge heart” following his death at the age of 41.
Burrow’s former club Leeds Rhinos announced on Sunday evening that their former scrum-half had died after a four-and-a-half-year battle with motor neurone disease.
Burrow was diagnosed with the incurable illness in December 2019 and immediately launched himself into a campaign to raise awareness of the disease, raising millions in the process alongside former team-mate and close friend Kevin Sinfield.
William, who awarded CBEs to both Burrow and Sinfield for services to MND awareness in January, led the tributes with a statement on his official X account.
He wrote: “A legend of rugby league, 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.”
Burrow’s long-time former Leeds team-mate Jamie Peacock wrote on Instagram: “We all knew this day was coming, it was always going to be too soon and none of us wanted to think about it.
“Rob in a sport where courage, bravery and grit are characteristic of every player at the absolute top, you were the most courageous, the bravest and the grittiest of them all.
“And a sense of humour to match, I’ll always remember you holding court in a dressing room having men twice as big cower because of your take no prisoners sense of wit.
“The world outside of Rugby League got to witness first hand your courage, bravery, grit and sense of humour in the most difficult of situations in your inspirational battle with this brutal disease.
“Becoming an inspiration for 1000s and a North Star for the MND community, providing hope where before there was none. Never once complaining about your condition and situation.
“Small in physical stature but a peerless giant in terms of character, heart, spirit, resilience, courage, determination, humour and bravery.
“An inspiration to us all. RIP mate.”
Ex-Scotland rugby union international Doddie Weir campaigned alongside Burrow to raise awareness and funds for MND until his death in November 2022 aged 52, and his charity – My Name’5 Doddie Foundation – described Burrow as “a true inspiration” on Sunday evening.
Its statement read: “We are so sad to hear of the death of Rob Burrow. Like Doddie, Rob has been a true inspiration for people living with MND. Our thoughts are with Lindsey, their children and all Rob’s family and friends.”
Leeds boxer Josh Warrington added his tribute in a comment on the Rhinos’ statement, writing: “RIP Rob. Inspired to so many. A champion, a legend.”
The Rugby Football League said in a statement on social media: “Rob Burrow was an outstanding rugby league player, for club and country. Since December 2019, his courage and humanity – allied to that of his family, friends and former Leeds Rhinos team-mates, led by Kevin Sinfield CBE – has transcended sport.”
RFL chairman Simon Johnson added: “This devastating news has united all in rugby league in sadness and the many others who have been touched and inspired by the courageous response of Rob, his family and friends since his diagnosis in December 2019.
“We will take a little time as a sport to consider how best to remember Rob, and to celebrate his life, at our Challenge Cup Finals Day at Wembley Stadium next Saturday, when Leeds Rhinos will play St Helens in the Betfred Women’s Challenge Cup Final.
“We had already committed earlier this year that the player of the match in the men’s Betfred Super League Grand Final will receive the Rob Burrow Award – to be presented for the first time at Old Trafford this October.”
