Rob Burrow funeral takes place as Thousands of fans line route with some wearing Leeds Rhinos shirts

Sky News

Updated 7 July 2024 at 1:35 pm·2-min read

Thousands of people have lined the streets to pay their final respects to former Leeds Rhinos star Rob Burrow.

The funeral procession took place on Sunday, with one final trip across his native Yorkshire.

More than 160 people then attended a private ceremony in Pontefract.

The 41-year-old died last month, four years after he was first diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND).

Sunday's service - on 7 July - came as a nod to Burrow's number seven shirt worn during his rugby league career.

Members of the public lined the route wearing their Leeds Rhinos shirts, as the funeral cortege made its way through to the crematorium.

The cortege set off at 1pm, and on its route passed by where Mr Burrow started off playing rugby.

Speaking to Sky News ahead of the funeral, Gary Hetherington, chief executive at Leeds Rhinos, said: "Rob was a remarkable player and a remarkable person.

"Him and all his family have been a credit to rugby league and the MND community.

"Today is an outpouring of emotion and support for him and his family and what he's done.

"It's brought the whole rugby league community together... and other sports as well."

Burrow was a successful rugby player, winning eight league titles, but he became better known for his campaigning to raise awareness for MND.

His trademark determination saw him help raise millions of pounds for charity to help research the rare, degenerative brain and nerve condition.

MND eventually took Burrow's voice and confined him to a wheelchair before he died.

Teammate Kevin Sinfield supported Mr Burrow throughout and the pair were awarded MBEs for their services to MND.

He was famously pictured carrying his friend over the finish line in May last year, at the Rob Burrow Half Marathon in Leeds.

Speaking late last year alongside Burrow, Sinfield said: "Just because the rugby stops, doesn't mean those friendships stop and when one of your best mates is given the diagnosis Rob got, then you have a choice whether you stand shoulder to shoulder, or you don't.

"What's become clear is the fight and the spirit that I knew Rob had, he's shown more than ever."

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