Death of Rob Burrow, 41: the former rugby union star suffered from a neurodegenerative disease

Rob Burrow with his wife Lindsey Burrow before the Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon, May 12, 2024. Danny Lawson – Press Association Images/MAXPPP

Former English rugby player Rob Burrow, suffering from a neurodegenerative disease, died this Sunday, June 2, 2024 at the age of 41. The announcement of his death sparked a wave of expressions of sympathy.

Star of rugby league, he won eight Super Leagues, three World Club Challenges and two Challenge Cups during his prolific career for Leeds Rhinos. International, he retired in 2017.

Two years later, doctors diagnosed him with motor neurone disease, a rare form of neurodegenerative disease characterized by a progressive loss of motor neurons leading to impaired motor skills and progressive paralysis. "The worst thing for me would be if someone took pity on me", he said after the announcement of his disease. "I know what will happen, but I want to live as normally as before."

RIP the great Rob Burrow

We had the privilege of giving @Rob7Burrow and his wife Lindsey @PrideOfBritain awards last yr

An incredible man and a truly incredible family

My heart goes out to them 🖤
With the deepest respect 🖤

pic.twitter.com/ESN9go35DP

— Carol Vorderman (@carolvorders) June 2, 2024

"You must dare to dream"

In January 2021, he lost the use of his hands and arms. The disease then affected his legs. His death sparked many expressions of condolences and support for his loved ones. William, Prince of Wales, paid tribute to his memory.

"He taught us that in a world filled with adversity, we must dare to dream", a -he writes on his social networks, saluting the "phenomenal" efforts of the former thirteenth party in favor of a better management of neuromotor diseases.

"A huge outpouring of emotion here"

Tim Thornton on the affection towards Rob Burrow as people pay tribute to outside Headingley. pic.twitter.com/bVCnzEbl7H

— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) June 2, 2024

His death was announced by his former club Leeds. "It’It is with deep sadness that we announce the death of our beloved son, husband, father, brother and friend", wrote the club in a press release.

It is with deep sadness that the club can confirm that former player Rob Burrow CBE has passed away, aged 41.
More here https://t.co/Lp2EcIu7ws pic.twitter.com/kyq6Er0FEp

— Leeds Rhinos (@leedsrhinos) June 2, 2024

He played over 400 times for Leeds

Rob Burrow, who played more than 400 times for Leeds between 2001 and 2017, helped raise more than 15 million pounds (just under 18 million pounds). nbsp;million euros) to finance the construction of a new center for the care of patients suffering from a neuro-motor disease.