Kevin Sinfield says the world has lost "a great man" following the death of Rob Burrow.
Leeds Rhinos confirmed on Sunday that Burrow had passed away at the age of 41 following a battle with motor neurone disease (MND). And Sinfield, who raised millions for charities alongside Burrow, has paid tribute to Burrow. He wrote in a statement: “Today was the day that I hoped would never come.
“The world has lost a great man and a wonderful friend to so many. You fought so bravely until the end and became a beacon of hope and inspiration, not only for the MND community but for all those who saw and heard your story.
“My love and thoughts go to your beautiful family, Lindsey, Macy, Maya and Jackson, to your parents Geoff and Irene, sisters Joanne and Claire and your wider family and friends.
“You will continue to inspire me every single day. I have lost a dear friend and will never forget the special times we shared both on and off the pitch. I would always say that you were pound for pound the toughest player I ever played alongside, however, since your diagnosis, you were the toughest and bravest man I have ever met.
“The last four and a half years you showed the world what living and loving looked like and this was always done with the biggest smile on your face.
“I will miss you my little mate. All my love, Kev. X”
It's estimated that Sinfield and Burrow raised around £15million for MND charities in their fundraising attempts, including the Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon, which took place in both 2023 and 2024.
Sinfield, 43, carried his friend over the finish line in the 2023 event in a poignant moment which will live long in the memory.
The Burrow family released a statement shortly after news of his death. It read: “It is with deep sadness that we announce the death of our beloved son, husband, father, brother and friend.
“Rob has always been a true inspiration throughout his life whether that was on the rugby league field or during his battle with MND (motor neurone disease). He never allowed others to define what he could achieve and believed in his own ability to do more.
“The outpouring of love and support that rob and the whole Burrow family have received over the last four and half years meant so much to Rob. In particular, the rugby league family and the MND community have rallied around rob to inspire him, thank you for your support.
“For those who knew Rob throughout his life, his determination and spirit in the face of mnd over the last four and half years came as no surprise.
"Rob never accepted that he couldn't do something, he just found his own way of doing it better than anyone else. He will continue to inspire us all every day. In a world full of adversity, we must dare to dream.”
Burrow and Sinfield both spent their entire playing careers with the Rhinos, winning seven Super League titles together as part of a staggering 15 winners' medals between the pair. The two also lifted two Challenge Cups and three World Club Challenge titles as part of a dominant Leeds side from the start of the 21st century all the way to Burrow's retirement in 2017.
Sinfield opted to switch codes two years earlier, enjoying a fairytale finish to his league career, winning an historic treble during his final season with Leeds. Burrow enjoyed a similarly perfect send off two years later, winning the eighth Super League Grand Final of his career, beating Castleford 24-6 at Old Trafford.
Burrow finished with 196 tries for the Rhinos, including what many perceive as the greatest score in Super League history in the 2011 Grand Final. He was inducted into the club's Hall of Fame in 2020.