Rob Burrow is one of rugby league’s greatest players, having won eight Super League grand finals with Leeds Rhinos and 20 international caps.
The 40-year-old was born in Pontefract, West Yorkshire and quickly established a rugby career some years after. He joined Leeds Rhinos as a 19-year-old and played his entire 16-career with the club, playing close to 500 games.
The rugby star was diagnosed with motor neurone disease in December 2019 and can no longer walk or talk. He has to communicate through a keyboard controlled by his eyes.
Three years ago he was told he may have only a year, two at most, to live, however he said that he would “fight until his final breath” to see his children, Macy, 10, Maya, seven, and Jackson, three, grow up. A new BBC Two documentary titled Rob Burrow: Living with MND followed his journey from being diagnosed with the disease.
The show followed Rob and his family as he battles motor neurone disease. Viewers will see him at some of his most intimate and vulnerable moments, from wife Lindsey carrying him up to bed to Rob on dad duties as he watches his children at their school sports day.
Here we take a look at the remarkable Yorkshire hero's life.
Rob Burrow’s ‘superhero’ wife
Rob Burrow is married to Lindsey Burrows. The pair have known each other since their teenage years and have stayed together ever since.
The couple have three children together, two daughters, Macy and Maya, and son Jackson. Rob recently praised his ‘superhero’ wife insisting she is the reason he is still alive following his motor neurone disease diagnosis.
Speaking to the Mirror he said said: “I could not ask for a better help than my beautiful wife Lindsey. I know when you get married you say that you will be there in sickness and in health.
“I did not think she signed up to look after me so soon. She is my very own superhero and I could not be alive without her help with everything. I love her so much.”
But Lindsey says: “I’m so lucky to be Rob’s wife, despite the situation that we are in. Would I change things? Of course I would.
“But we can’t, so we just have to make the best of it and enjoy every moment that we have together. But it’s devastating, it’s heartbreaking.”
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