Rob Burrow, an activist for motor neurone disease (MND), has disclosed that he taped a series of messages for his children, which will be played at significant junctures in their future.

Speaking to BBC Breakfast, Lindsey Burrow said she “could not put into words” how proud she was of the Leeds Rhinos, Great Britain and England rugby league stars.

Lindsey says that, as the face of MND, Burrow had left an incredible legacy and “made the world a better place to be”.

Her family was inundated with messages of support when he died, including a “heartfelt” message from Prince William, she said.

Burrow died on June 2nd, at the age of 41. He pleaded with people not to “waste a moment” of their life in a video that was made public after his passing.

Source: Wikimedia Commons
After first being together as teenagers, Rob and Lindsey Burrow got married in 2006 and have three kids: Macy, Maya, and Jackson.

Millions of people saw and heard Burrow’s last public speech, which was captured on a device that records eye movements and turns them into text, as part of the BBC documentary There’s Only One Rob Burrow.

But Lindsey has revealed that he also left some private messages for his family.
“I know Rob has left messages on there for the children. At the minute, it’s too raw to go and look through the machine, but there are birthday messages on there, there are messages for the future.”.

Following her husband’s passing, Lindsey claims she got condolences from people all around the world, including a private note from Prince William expressing his respect “as a parent.”.

“It was really heartfelt to me and the children, and his words will stay with me forever,” she told BBC Breakfast.

Burrow was diagnosed with MND two years after he ended his playing career. Throughout his more than 400 games with the Rhinos between 2001 and 2017, he won eight Super League Grand Finals, three World Club Challenges, and two Challenge Cups during his 17-year career with the team, England, and Great Britain.

In a statement following Burrow’s passing, Prince William remarked that Burrow will be known as a “legend” with “a huge heart.”

In the 2024 New Year’s Honours, Burrow and his erstwhile teammate Kevin Sinfield were both appointed CBEs. Since Burrow’s diagnosis, the two have contributed to the more than £15 million raised for MND charities.

On Global MND Awareness Day and prior to Leeds Rhinos’ first home game since her husband’s death, Lindsey’s interview on BBC Breakfast airs.

Rugby League supporters will have the chance to commemorate Burrow when they play the Leigh Leopards in a sold-out game at Headingley.

The players for the team will don a custom-made uniform with a picture of Burrow and Sinfield on the back.

£10 will be donated to the Leeds Hospitals Charity campaign