BY JOHN DAVIDSON
Small man, done good.
The terrible news came through just after 6.00pm last night, not entirely unexpected, but tragic all the same. Rob Burrow had passed.
Burrow was a fighter, courageous and strong, but his fight against MND was one he was never going to win.
His passing at 41 is tremendously sad, but we can celebrate his amazing life and his achievements, his positive impact on the world as a whole.
Burrow packed more into his 41 years on this earth than most of us can dream. He lived a life full of love, with a beautiful family and children.
On and off the pitch he was an inspiration, in the way he starred in a sport full of giants, and off it how he fought his disease with courage and determination.
Careers in rugby league like his are rarely seen. 492 games for Leeds, 196 tries, eight Super League grand final titles, two Challenge Cups, three World Club Challenges, 18 Tests for England and Great Britain, countless other awards. He had more silverware than John Lewis.
But it was not just the trophies and medals, but the way he played – with speed and smarts, swerve and step, fearless, with a brilliant rugby brain and a steely will.
At his size and weight, he never should have done on the field what he could. But he did, and he did it with an impish smile and twinkle in his eye, that made us all marvel at his talent and drive. Like Roger Millward and Alfie Langer before, he was the small man who did magical things.
I remember watching him at Loftus Road in 2005 in his Great Britain debut against New Zealand. Standing next to the likes of Ali Lauitiitii, Manu Vatuvei and Ruben Wiki. Who was this little kid on the pitch against these huge men I thought. How wrong I was.
Burrow was not only an exceptional player, but more importantly, an exceptional man. He was loved by his teammates but respected by opponents and fans. He was humble, generous, funny and well-liked. He was an inspiration.
When interviewed Burrow was articulate, intelligent and eager to deflect praise away from himself.
His diagnosis in 2019 did not change him, did not change his values or his character. He took to fighting MND, raising money and awareness about the disease with vigour.
He and his family let the media and public in with documentaries, books and podcasts to share their story and generate awareness about this terrible disease. They did not court publicity for their own gain, but to help find and fund a care for MND that others will ultimately benefit from.
Raising nearly £20 million, along with his former teammate Kevin Sinfield, to help eradicate MND will leave a lasting legacy. He will not be forgotten. The world would be a much better place if we all had just had one ounce of the courage and heart that Burrow had.
Small man, done good.
Vale Robert Geoffrey Burrow. You were truly the best of us.
