THERE’S ONLYONE ROBBIE BURROW
AS Rob Burrow stood on the touchline preparing to run out for Leeds one final time, his name rang out around a sold-out Headingley.
He struggled to contain his emotion from the moment he carried one-year-old son Jackson on to the field before kick-off.
Just one month ago, the 37-yearold was diagnosed with motor neurone disease. It is a terminal illness.
With daughters Macy, eight, and Maya, four, also alongside him, Burrow was cheered to the rafters, a noise that resurfaced when he entered the game with five minutes remaining. Burrow’s wish is to fight the condition long enough to see his children grow up and, although his voice has already been clearly affected, his familiar running style remained.
Addressing the crowd after the game he said: “It meant absolutely everything. To be out there with all my mates again was an unbelievable feeling, I was so proud to do it. “I was tired but I absolutely loved every minute.
“You don’t know how much it means – no words can ever come close to describing how I feel.”
The Rhinos faithful had flocked to see Burrow and his long-term team-mate and friend Jamie JonesBuchanan, for whom this fundraiser was also a testimonial.
Playing in the hooking position where he was unanimously voted Harry Sunderland Trophy winner in the 2011 Grand Final win – one of eight Old Trafford triumphs – Burrow showed the kind of enthusiasm that characterised his remarkable career, even if he later admitted that, due to his increasing symptoms, he struggled to pass the ball due to having no power in his arms.
Suddenly overcome when he was