Lindsey Burrow, the widow of rugby league legend Rob Burrow, has spoken of her 'heartbreak' following his death in 2024 and revealed the promise she made to him before he passed away.
The Leeds Rhinos icon died aged 41 after a brave fight against Motor Neurone Disease (MND). The teenage sweethearts had three children together: Macy, 14, Maya, 10, and Jackson, seven. Rob's diagnosis in December 2019 turned the family's world upside down.
'Heartbreaking that he isn't here'
Speaking in an interview with the Mirror, Lindsey said: "It's heartbreaking that he isn't here, but I'm so grateful to have had him as a husband, and father. He taught us that in the darkest of times, there's a strength within us that we don't realise we have."
Despite his illness, Rob fundamentally changed the national conversation surrounding MND, bringing urgency and candour to a condition few truly understood. The family opened their home to documentary crews for films such as My Year With MND and There's Only One Rob Burrow.
The promise she made Rob
Lindsey revealed the promise she made to Rob before his passing and admitted she continues to live up to it. She explained: "I made Rob a promise that we'd keep living life to the full. And we're doing that. But you have good and bad days. You can be driving, a song comes on that reminds you of Rob and the grief just hits you.
"We were married for 17 years, we started dating as teenagers. Rob probably knew me better than I knew myself."
Lindsey recalled how Rob would rush to spend as much time as possible with their children, who she said miss their dad incredibly. She explained: "He'd always be the first to leave a function, as he wanted to get home to them. He was the best dad I could have ever wished for. They've helped me more than they'll ever know. They get on with life, and like Rob, don't look for pity. They're strong, and brave. They miss him terribly.
"But the way that they've handled it is because Rob showed them how. They're the reason I wake up with a smile in the morning. He'd be so proud. He idolised them."
Raising awareness for MND
Alongside his former Leeds team-mate, now-Sir Kevin Sinfield, Rob sought to raise global awareness for MND. Sinfield has raised more than £13million for the cause.
Lindsey said of her husband: "Rob was, pound for pound, the strongest player on the team. So out of the blue, to be handed a diagnosis of MND was devastating. The reality is, half of people living with MND will die within a year of diagnosis. Six people in the UK will die today.
"After he was diagnosed, he turned to me and said, 'Thank God it was me, not you or the children.' But as an NHS physiotherapist, I've seen how devastating MND is, whereas Rob was very much, 'There'll be a treatment, a cure.' He made it his mission to raise awareness, to give families hope."
