Rob Burrow's heart-rending final words to fans in video recorded weeks before his death
Rugby star and MND campaigner Rob Burrow recorded a poignant message for his supporters which aired in a BBC tribute after his death.
Brave Rob Burrow recorded a poignant final message for his supporters in the weeks before his death - urging people to "be brave" and "live in the moment" and telling them "we must still dare to dream".
The emotional message was played as part of a BBC tribute to the Leeds Rhinos legend and MND campaigner who died on Sunday aged 41.
He recorded the speech as he neared the end of his life and, modest as ever, insisted he was "just a lad from Yorkshire who got to live out his dream".
But Rob was much more than that to millions of people thanks to his tireless campaigning for MND charities. His message also urged scientists to find a cure for MND.
Hero Rob managed to continue speaking despite having MND thanks to an eye-gaze machine which allowed him to communicate by looking at words and the computer then spoke for him.
Rob used this in his final message in the BBC documentary, saying: "I hope one day we find a cure and live in a world free of MND. By the time that you watch this I will no longer be here. I am just a lad from Yorkshire who got to live out his dream of playing Rugby League
"As a father of three young children, I would never want any family to have to go through what my family have since my diagnosis.
"I hope I have left a mark on the disease. I hope it shows to live in the moment. I hope you find inspiration from the whole story.
"My final message to you is whatever your personal battle be brave and face it. Every single day is precious. Don’t waste a moment. In a world full of adversity we must still dare to dream."
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He signed off: "Rob Burrow, over and out."
The message, which is likely to have had some viewers in tears, was recorded with the family's blessing and it is understood his wife Lindsey was by his side when he made it.
The documentary entitled There’s Only One Rob Burrow was made by BBC Breakfast with support from the Burrow family.
It covers Rob's life on and off the field and was personally signed off by Rob before his death.
Rob spent his entire rugby league career with Leeds Rhinos and helped them win eight Super League titles.
He was diagnosed with motor neurone disease in 2019, just two years after retiring from a 17-season career with the rugby League team.
After he revealed his MND diagnosis he began fundraising and campaigning to raise awareness of the disease and to improve care and research.
He was made an MBE in the 2021 New Year Honours list for his services to rugby league and the MND community and was promoted to a CBE in the 2024 New Year Honours.
The new 30-minute documentary about his career and campaigning was on BBC One on Monday night before a longer 45 minute version will appear on the BBC iPlayer later this week.
What is MND?
MND is the term used for motor neurone disease, a condition which affects nerves and body movements.
The condition affects around 5,000 adults in the UK according to the Motor Neurone Disease Association. Across a lifetime, an adult has a 1 in 300 chance of getting MND, but it is more likely to affect people over 50.
Symptoms are varied and can include muscle weakness, stiff joints, speech problems, and difficulty breathing.
June 21 is marked around the world as a day for raising awareness of MND and understanding the impact it has on people.
Earlier in the day Rob's wife had described him as "loving, kind and caring" and vowed to keep his legacy alive, one day after his death was announced.
In a moving tribute, Lindsey Burrow said she and the family were all "deeply saddened by the loss". In a statement released through Leeds Rhinos, she said: "I was incredibly proud and fortunate to call Rob my husband.
"I am unbelievably proud of the campaigning he's done to raise awareness and the millions of pounds that have been raised in his name for MND charities.
"I would like to thank the Rugby League community and everyone for their outpouring of love and support since Rob's diagnosis. I truly appreciate every message of support, and fundraising that has been done.
"My priority is to make Rob proud, and to bring our three children up as Rob would want and ensure their happiness and well-being. We will continue to keep Rob's legacy alive. We will continue to 'bang the drum' and do our best to try and help others.
"Although we knew this day would arrive, I am somehow still feeling at a loss for words that our loving, kind and caring husband and father has departed.
"However, we take comfort from how much people's love and continued support meant to Rob through his most vulnerable times. He was simply the best."
Rob is survived by his wife Lindsey and their three children; Jackson, Maya and Macy.
There’s Only One Rob Burrow aired on BBC One Monday night at 8.30pm. It is available to stream on BBC iPlayer.
