(DailyDig.com) – Rob Burrow, a star rugby league player for the Leeds Rhinos, died at age 41.
In 2019, Burrow received a diagnosis of motor neuron disease (MND). He retired from the sport in 2017 after a career spanning 17 years, all with the Leeds Rhinos. His career included awards from Challenge Cups (two), World Club Challenges (three), and Super League Grand Finals (eight).
His team, the Rhinos, announced his death. They spoke of his life as an inspiration, both during his play on the rugby field, where he made 492 appearances during his career, and during his battle with his illness, MND.
Burrow also received a Helen Rollason Award at the BBC’s 2022 Sports Personality of the Year ceremony. He also received an award for raising awareness and persistent fundraising for MND as he continued to battle it himself.
Burrow was defiant when he first received the disease diagnosis, declaring that he didn’t want sympathy from anyone. He knew what his illness would result in, but he wanted to stay as normal as possible for as long as possible. He expressed his desire to be treated normally.
As remembrances began to flood with the news of Burrow’s death, many people recalled instances they experienced and shared with the public. The Prince of Wales, in a message, expressed his eternal legacy as a sports legend, whose immense heart touched many with his strength as a sports hero. He taught us that whatever we go through, we should always be able to dream.
The rugby world paid homage to Burrow. The Wigan Warriors released a statement claiming that his legacy is solid because his story touched many lives and will always inspire hope.
The Rugby Football League announced that since his diagnosis, Burrow’s humanity and courage had transcended their sport. The MND Association announced their gratitude for his unwavering focus on raising awareness of the disease and for all the fundraising he accomplished.
His wife, Lindsey, and children, Macy, Maya, and Jackson, survived Burrow.
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