Family, friends, and fans gathered to bid farewell to Rob Burrow, the Leeds Rhinos and England Rugby League star, who passed away at the age of 41 after a courageous battle with motor neurone disease (MND). His death came just hours before work began on a new MND research center set to carry his name, cementing his legacy both on and off the field.
A civic reception was held at Leeds Civic Hall to honor his life and achievements, hosted by the Lord Mayor of Leeds, Abigail Marshall Katung. Around 180 people attended, including Burrow’s family, teammates such as Jamie Jones-Buchanan, Tanya Curry, CEO of the MND Association, and James Lewis, leader of Leeds City Council.
Hundreds lined the streets in West Yorkshire to pay their final respects as the cortege passed through. Many wore Leeds Rhinos shirts, turning the streets blue, while junior players from Featherstone Lions ARLFC stood in tribute. The procession included Burrow’s wife Lindsey, whom he married in 2006, their three children Macy, Maya, and Jackson, as well as his sisters Joanne and Claire and parents Geoff and Irene.
Floral tributes in the hearse carried the words “Dad,” “Bro,” and “Son.” The cortege paused at Featherstone Lions’ ground, where Burrow began his rugby journey, allowing mourners to sign a book of condolences. In his final message, shared after his passing, Burrow urged others never to “waste a moment” and to always “dare to dream.”
