Lindsey Burrow, the wife of rugby league legend Rob Burrow, has spoken openly about life following the death of her husband, who passed away aged 41 in 2024 after a battle with Motor Neurone Disease (MND).
The Leeds Rhinos icon and Lindsey, teenage sweethearts, shared three children: Macy, 14, Maya, 10, and Jackson, seven. Rob's diagnosis in December 2019 transformed the family's life.
A promise to keep living
Speaking to The Mirror, Lindsey discussed the anguish of life without her husband. She 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."
Lindsey revealed the promise she made to Rob before his death and said she remains committed to honouring 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."
She added: "We were married for 17 years, we started dating as teenagers. Rob probably knew me better than I knew myself."
A devoted father
Lindsey recalled how Rob would hurry to make the most of every moment with their children, who she said miss their father tremendously. She added: "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."
She continued: "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
Rob profoundly changed the national discourse around MND, welcoming documentary makers into the family home for programmes including My Year With MND and There's Only One Rob Burrow. Together with his former Leeds team-mate, now-Sir Kevin Sinfield, he worked to generate worldwide awareness for MND, with Sinfield raising over £13 million for the campaign.
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."
She added: "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."
