League of his own
MBE on way for tragic rugby ace Rob who helped aid good cause
EX-RUGBY League ace Rob Burrow is to be honoured for his charity work while battling a terminal illness.
The Leeds Rhinos legend is to be handed an MBE in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours list.
The award comes just 12 months after Rob, 38, revealed he had been diagnosed with incurable motor neurone disease.
Since then the star – who won eight Grand Finals, three World Club Challenges and two Challenge Cups in 17 years with the Rhinos – has fought to raise cash for MND charities.
A source said: “Rob’s story has touched everyone’s hearts. He has refused to let the illness take over his life, showing the same determination he did as a player.”
Rob was given just one to two years to live just before Christmas 2019 after being diagnosed with the degenerative condition that attacks nerves in the brain and spinal cord.
The smallest player in the Super League at 5ft 5in, he had retired to a coaching role in 2017 after playing 493 games for Leeds.
COURAGE
In January, tragic Rob took part in a testimonial match for Leeds against Bradford Bulls.
He walked on to the pitch with daughters Macy, eight, Maya, five, and one-year-old son Jackson to tumultuous applause.
Since then his courage has inspired a static cycle world record attempt – and it prompted his former teammate Kevin Sinfield to run a gruelling seven marathons in seven days.
Kevin, 40, hoped to raise £77,777 – but ended up collecting more than £ 2.5million after finishing the 183-mile epic.
TV cameras have been following Rob’s adventures for a BBC documentary, Rob Burrows: My Year With MND.
Rob, who is married to Lindsey, 37, has already been honoured with a mural in Leeds city centre.
He isn’t the only pioneering sportsman set for honours.
Last month it was reported that F1 champion Lewis Hamilton is to be knighted.
Manchester United star Marcus Rashford won an MBE in October in the Queen’s birthday honours list for his kids’ school meals campaign.
Last year cricket hero Ben Stokes got an OBE.