Rob Burrow described himself as just a lad from Yorkshire who got to live out his dream of playing rugby league. Rob was born the youngest of three children in West Yorkshire, UK. He was passionate about rugby league and began playing at the young age of only 7. However, according to his father, Rob was told he would never play professionally due to his short height. Standing at 5ft 5in, Rob bravely defied the odds by training and proving the sceptics wrong and climbed the ranks, joining the Leeds Rhinos in 1999, where he would remain for his almost 17-year-long amazing rugby career.

Rob married his wife Lindsey, whom he met when they were both only 15, and together, they went on to have three children.

Over the years, Rob Burrow earned many awards and gained much recognition for his skills on the rugby field. His first half try in the 2011 Super League Grand Final, a 50-metre-long solo effort, was regarded as one of the greatest in Grand Final history. He also represented the England and Great Britain international rugby league teams. In 2017, Rob announced his retirement from the game.

Sadly, only two years later, in 2019, Rob was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease (MND). Having played a tough battle on the rugby field, Rob took on the bravest battle yet when he tackled this debilitating condition. Immediately, his family, friends and club rallied to support him. He had an amazing friendship and close bond with teammate Kevin Sinfield, who he described as his ‘guardian angel’. Following Rob’s diagnosis, together, they worked tirelessly to raise awareness and millions of pounds for MND research.

For many years, he was known as ‘the smallest player in Super League’, but his giant heart, boundless courage and sense of humour saw him make his way into the hearts of the nation. His best friend, Kevin, describes him as ‘a beacon of hope and inspiration’. Both men were made CBEs in the 2024 New Year Honours for raising more than GBP15m for MND.

In June 2024, Rob Burrow lost his brave battle with MND and sadly passed away. However, he has left an amazing legacy: a MND care centre in Leeds is to be named the Rob Burrow Centre For MND, Rob Burrow – Living with MND won Documentary of the Year 2023, and he has received many other honours and awards for his contributions to rugby league and to the MND community.

Rob Burrow never gave up on his dream to become a rugby player, and in the same determined fashion, he refused to let MND define him by never giving up on his dream of finding a cure for the disease. Inspired by Rob, that dream continues today.