Inside the love story of Rob and Lindsey Burrow, from their teenage crushes to their “superhero” wife who took care of him until his death

BRAVE rugby legend Rob Burrow has died from motor neurone disease.

The 41-year-old went from being one of Britain's fiercest rugby players to being confined to a wheelchair barely able to move following his diagnosis in December 2019.

Leeds Rhino player Rob, who was capped 15 times for England and five times for Great Britain, leaves behind his wife Lindsey and children Macy, Maya and Jackson.

The couple were teenage sweethearts, and Rob once said, “There's something beautiful about being taken care of by the only girl you've ever loved.”

Images of Rob being carried across the finish line of the Leeds Marathon by compatriot Kevin Sinfield went around the world in May 2023 – and became a symbol of lasting hope for people suffering from MND.

Kevin raised more than £7 million for motor neuron charities after his friend was diagnosed and pushed Rob's specially adapted chair around the 26.2 mile race before picking him up so they can end up together.

Rob later told The Sun: “Kevin whispered, 'You're not going to beat me Rob, we end up together.' He then kissed me on the cheek.

“It was one day in a million. It was like scoring again in a grand final.”

Rob, who received a 2021 MBE, was one of Britain's shortest rugby players, but behind his small stature lies the heart of a lion.

He refused to give in to MND, which leaves sufferers trapped in their own bodies, their minds still sharp as their movements and speech fail.

The father-of-three – who spoke through a computer like the late physicist Stephen Hawking, who also had MND – was determined to raise awareness of the condition.

After doctors predicted he would die within a year, Rob said he had been inspired by another sufferer, Scottish rugby player Doddie Weir.

Before losing his voice, Rob said: “Dodi is so inspiring. He approaches it the way I want him to, living a normal life as much as possible.

“He’s happy, really positive and I want to be like that.

“Whatever I can do to raise awareness, I’m more than happy.”

Dodi sadly passed away at the age of 52 in November 2022.

Undeterred, Rob and Lindsey continued to raise awareness about the disease through talks and fundraisers.

Supporters have launched a £5million fundraising campaign for a new MND center named after Rob in Leeds.

His family refused to give up the fight to keep Rob alive, with his father Geoff successfully getting his son on a trial drug to slow the progression of the disease.

Rob was diagnosed with a cruel illness after an old rugby injury recurred.

He told the BBC: “My speech was difficult to pronounce, with my family telling me the situation had gotten worse.

“I had an old injury and received an injection (painkiller) in my shoulder. I told the doctor about the speech and the diagnosis was made very quickly.

“I didn't know much about MND. I had read about the symptoms on the internet… but I didn't believe it. When I found out, it was a huge shock.”

He said his first instinct, when told he was going to die, was to check on Lindsey.

“Most husbands would feel that way,” he said. “It was hard for her. I said to myself, 'I'm glad I have this disease and she doesn't.'

“MND is not the worst thing in the world – your children’s illness is the worst thing.

“I'm not trying to present myself as a hero, because any man would gladly take the pain of his wife and children and give it to himself.”

The couple then had to tell their three children.

Rob said: “It's not easy. How do you tell them you have something when there's no cure? Lindsey was a huge help.

“We wanted to tell them before Christmas because we thought it would be a distraction. I wanted them to know, you know?”

Lindsey then spoke about the children's acceptance, saying: “We told them the doctors and nurses were doing everything they could for Dad but he had MND and it was limiting his life.

“Maya said, 'Why are you telling us that? It's boring.' We all started laughing.”

His wife Lindsey told The Sun in May 2023 how the family had taken a “no tears” approach to the illness, saying: “Within the first two weeks of diagnosis, Kev Sinfield took Rob to meet Doddie, and it was turning.

“Doddie instilled hope in Rob by telling him, 'Despite what they tell you, fight this and move on with your life.'

“Rob came home and said, 'Well, there's a no-tears policy, we'll take care of it.'

“It is what it is and we keep things as normal and possible for the children and create happy memories.

“Rob said he would accept the diagnosis but fight the prognosis.”

Two months later Rob, who won eight grand finals with Leeds Rhinos as they dominated rugby league in the 2000s, began recording his voice so his children could still hear him via computer when 'she would disappear.

In October 2020, his sweet Yorkshire tones could be heard thanks to technology that Rob used his eyes to control.

As his condition deteriorated, the player had to constantly use a wheelchair.

Unable to walk or talk, he relies on physiotherapist Lindsey and his parents Geoff and Irene to feed and bathe him.

But Rob never lost the sparkle in his eyes that seemed to constantly shine and said more about his indomitable spirit than anything else.

He said he dreaded the day he would leave his family behind – but was not afraid of dying.

Rob said: “There are times when I think about death, but I'm not afraid of dying.

“The most frustrating thing is not being a good father. I know I'm their father, but when it's not on your terms, it's horrible.”

Rob, from Pontefract, Yorks, was often the scrum-half or hooker for Leeds Rhinos and played 493 times, winning eight super league championships, two challenge cups and was named in the league's dream team three times. great league.

Yet, at 5ft 5in and weighing 10 stone, 5lb, he was known as the 'smallest player in Super League'.

He showed the same determination in his fight to make the MND known.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak summed up Britain's affection for Rob in March 2023, when he received a special 2000 Points of Light award for his work.

Rishi said: “The legacy of everything you do to fight this disease will change what it means to be diagnosed with MND.

“As you said: 'In a world of adversity, you must dare to dream.'

“Inspired by you, many will dare to dream and achieve those dreams, despite the adversity they may face.”