Rugby league legend Rob Burrow's final message before death released in moving video
A moving final message from English rugby league great Rob Burrow has been released in a documentary by the BBC, on the condition it only be used after his death.
Burrow died on Monday at the age of 41 after he was diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND) in 2019, just two years after his retirement.
He was involved in the making of the documentary, There's Only One Rob Burrow, and had viewed it before he died.
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"I want to live in a world free of MND. By the time you watch this I will no longer be here," he said in the video.
"In a world full of adversity, we must still dare to dream. I'm just a lad from Yorkshire who got to live out his dream of playing rugby league."
Rob Burrow with his wife Lindsey Burrow before the Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon. Picture date: Sunday May 12, 2024. Picture date: Sunday May 12, 2024. (Photo by Danny Lawson/PA Images via Getty Images) PA Images via Getty Images
His pre-recorded final words were shown to his friends and family on screen, reacting to his words.
"I'm a fighter, to be honest. I might not be able to tackle MND but I'll certainly be swinging, I'm not going to give in, not until my last breath," he said.
"I'm a prisoner in my own body, that's the way MND gets you. The lights are on but no one is home."
Recalling his diagnosis, he said: "My family told me I was slurring my speech a bit but I didn't take notice or believe them."
His emotional widow, Lindsey, spoke of how she learnt of her husband's devastating disease.
"I remember that moment being told it's not good news. Asking how long and them saying two years. Rob said 'thank god it's me and not the kids'. That's all he was bothered about," she recalled.
When asked about his children, Burrow became emotional.
"I had no idea how my family would cope. They've become a beacon of hope for families in the same situation as ours," he said.
"I have had such a great life. I have been gifted with the most incredible wife and three children. I hope they know how much I love them."
Burrows finishes the piece, saying: "As a father of three young children, I would never want someone to go through this.
"I hope I have left a mark on this disease. I hope you choose to live in the moment. I hope you find inspiration.
Prince William, Prince of Wales meets former rugby league player Rob Burrow to congratulate him for raising awareness of Motor Neurone Disease, and award him with the Commander of the British Empire (CBE) for raising awareness of Motor Neurone Disease during his visit to the at Headingley Stadium on January 11, 2024 in Leeds, England Phil Noble - WPA Pool/Getty Images
"My final message to you is whatever your personal battle to be brave and face it.
"Every single day is precious. Don't waste a moment. In a world full of adversity we must still dare to dream. Rob Burrow over and out."
Burrow's rugby league legacy will be featured during the Challenge Cup final this weekend, with a series of tributes and a minute's silence to staged before both the women's and men's matches.
A minute's applause will also take place in the seventh minute of each match. Burrow wore the number seven jersey for Leeds.
