Sinfield recalls final silent goodbye with Rob Burrow before his death
Sir Kevin Sinfield has revealed the deeply personal final moments he shared with his best friend and former Leeds Rhinos teammate Rob Burrow, who died from motor neurone disease in June 2024. After receiving word that Burrow was nearing death, Sinfield left an England rugby camp and travelled north to visit his friend one last time. The encounter was brief but poignant: Sinfield described the meeting as "sad but beautiful," saying both men understood it would be their final goodbye, with Burrow too weakened by MND to speak but able to communicate through facial expressions and eye contact.
Burrow, who received his MND diagnosis in 2019, had gradually lost his ability to move and speak as the disease progressed. The two men had developed a wordless form of communication relying on smiles, facial expressions and eye contact. Sinfield revealed that Burrow was nicknamed "Stevie Wonder" because he would wear sunglasses and doze off during visits. Their extraordinary friendship became one of sport's most powerful stories, epitomised by the iconic image from the Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon in May 2023, when Sinfield carried his wheelchair-bound friend over the finish line of the 26.2-mile course as crowds applauded.
- Sir Kevin Sinfield shared a final, wordless goodbye with dying best friend Rob Burrow
- The pair communicated through facial expressions and eye contact as MND stole Burrow's voice
- Their friendship became iconic in British sport, symbolised by the 2023 marathon finish line moment
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Kevin Sinfield and Rob Burrow were best friends and former teammates at Leeds Rhinos rugby league club. In 2019, Burrow was diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND), a serious condition that progressively weakens muscles and affects speech and movement.
As Burrow's condition deteriorated, Sinfield publicly supported his friend, helping to raise awareness and funds for MND research and care. Their friendship gained significant public attention across the sporting world and beyond.
In May 2023, Sinfield carried his wheelchair-bound friend across the finish line of a marathon held in Burrow's honour, a moment that drew significant public attention. Burrow died in June 2024.
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Originally published by Daily Mail as “‘We both knew it was the last time’: Sir Kevin Sinfield reveals heartbreaking final meeting with best friend Rob Burrow before he passed away from motor neurone disease”.