Rugby league legend Sir Kevin Sinfield kissed Rob Burrow on the forehead and told him that he loved him; they both knew ‘it was the last time’
Sir Kevin Sinfield has described his final farewell to his best friend Rob Burrow on the day before he died.
The rugby league legend kissed Rob on the forehead and told him that he loved him because they both knew ‘it was the last time’. He said the emotional encounter was ‘sad, but beautiful’.
Sinfield, 46, met former England captain Lewis Moody on Day Two of his ‘Grand Finale’ 7 in 7 epic fundraising venture.
Moody put his arm around the shoulder of Sinfield as they ran side by side.
And Sir Kev was also given a huge morale boost when he met with the Princess Royal in York.
He has already raised more than £500,000 for Motor Neurone Disease research, taking the total raised so far to more than £14.6m with Gift Aid. It means Sir Kevin and Rob, who died in 2024 after being diagnosed with MND, have raised more than £35m between them.
Sir Kevin told how Burrow was nicknamed ‘Stevie Wonder’ because he would keep his sunglasses on and fall asleep while people spoke to him.
Sir Kevin told the High Performance podcast: “The last day I saw him was the day before he passed and it was tough. I was in an England rugby camp and got the message. I knew all week he’d been poorly and got the message he was close.
“So I got back up north and went to see him. And as I looked through the little window to his private room he was fast asleep with breathing apparatus on.”
Sinfield continued: “Anyway I crept in and saw his mum and his sister and I sat with him and he woke up. So I did what I normally did: I tried to make him laugh and told him what I was up to. It was really sad. Sad, but beautiful.
“We both knew it was the last time. I knew, I was pretty sure and I’m pretty sure he did too. The minute he opened his eyes he had the biggest smile. I always got a smile regardless of what was going on.”
He added: “It was his way of saying that everything’s alright and no matter what’s going on in life, what’s weighing heavy on you, what you’re mulling over, it doesn’t matter.
“It was his way of saying to just get on with living and loving and taking some risks. In the final interaction I kissed his forehead and told him I loved him.
“As I was leaving, I looked back one last time and he was looking back at me with a smile, which was what he always did.”
He added: “Throughout all that time he couldn’t speak he would always smile at the start and smile when I left. Even his most difficult moments when I’m sure he knew, he still found the energy for a smile.
“I only saw him upset twice, when he was first diagnosed. After that he was so positive about life.”
The moving interview came as Rob’s son starred in a rugby match in honour of his late father.
Seven-year-old Jackson Burrow came on to score a winning try at the end of the fundraiser between Team Burrow, made up of rugby league legends, and Team Ed Slater, a team of rugby union icons. He was hoisted in the air at the end of the charity match, supporting Motor Neurone Disease research.
A teammate handed him the ball before the youngster set off on a mazy run from the halfway line, dodging his older opponents along the way. He rose elated after diving across the line to score, and his teammates lifted him into the air and patted his head.
A delighted crowd at Welford Road, home of Leicester Tigers, applauded every step of the way, and players from both teams clapped and congratulated Jackson.
“This is quality,” commented rugby fan Andrew Forde. “What an absolute joy to see. Truly remarkable,” said another, Mike Marsh.
Rob Burrow died aged 41 but not before raising the then total of more than £30m for MND charities alongside Sir Kevin.
Both were awarded CBEs for their efforts in raising awareness of the disease. Ed Slater, who was also represented at the charity match, is a former rugby union star diagnosed with MND in July 2022, aged 33.
He played for Gloucester and Leicester Tigers. Details of Sir Kevin’s latest challenge at https://www.therhinos.co.uk/the-club/sinfield-grand-finale
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