Sir Kevin Sinfield has described his emotional final farewell to his best friend Rob Burrow, the day before the MND campaigner died. The rugby league legend kissed Rob on the forehead and told him that he loved him, because they both knew 'it was the last time'. He described the encounter as 'sad, but beautiful'.
Final moments together
Sinfield, 46, met former England captain Lewis Moody on Day Two of his 'Grand Finale' 7 in 7 fundraising venture. Moody put his arm around Sinfield's shoulder as they ran side by side. Sir Kev was also given a morale boost when he met the Princess Royal in York.
Speaking on the High Performance podcast, Sinfield recalled: "The last day I saw him was the day before he passed and it was tough. I was in an England rugby camp and got the message. I knew all week he'd been poorly and got the message he was close. So I got back up north and went to see him. And as I looked through the little window to his private room he was fast asleep with breathing apparatus on."
A smile to the end
Sinfield continued: "Anyway I crept in and saw his mum and his sister and I sat with him and he woke up. So I did what I normally did: I tried to make him laugh and told him what I was up to. It was really sad. Sad, but beautiful. We both knew it was the last time. I knew, I was pretty sure and I'm pretty sure he did too. The minute he opened his eyes he had the biggest smile. I always got a smile regardless of what was going on."
He added: "It was his way of saying that everything's alright and no matter what's going on in life, what's weighing heavy on you, what you're mulling over, it doesn't matter. It was his way of saying to just get on with living and loving and taking some risks. In the final interaction I kissed his forehead and told him I loved him. As I was leaving, I looked back one last time and he was looking back at me with a smile, which was what he always did."
Sinfield noted that throughout the time Burrow could not speak, he would always smile at the start and smile when he left. "Even his most difficult moments when I'm sure he knew, he still found the energy for a smile. I only saw him upset twice, when he was first diagnosed. After that he was so positive about life."
Son scores in tribute match
The interview came as Rob's son starred in a rugby match in honour of his late father. Seven-year-old Jackson Burrow came on to score a winning try at the end of the fundraiser between Team Burrow, made up of rugby league legends, and Team Ed Slater, a team of rugby union icons. He was hoisted in the air at the end of the charity match, supporting Motor Neurone Disease research.
A teammate handed him the ball before the youngster set off on a mazy run from the halfway line, dodging his older opponents along the way. He rose elated after diving across the line to score, and his teammates lifted him into the air and patted his head. A delighted crowd at Welford Road, home of Leicester Tigers, applauded every step of the way, and players from both teams clapped and congratulated Jackson.
Rob Burrow died aged 41 but not before raising more than £30m for MND charities alongside Sir Kevin. Both were awarded CBEs for their efforts in raising awareness of the disease. Ed Slater, also represented at the charity match, is a former rugby union star diagnosed with MND in July 2022, aged 33. He played for Gloucester and Leicester Tigers.
