“I“In a world full of adversity, we must still dare to dream.” That was Rob Burrow’s message, emblazoned on the players’ shirts as they took to the pitch for the Women’s and Men’s Challenge Cup finals superior. The passing of the former Leeds Rhino has been mourned and his life equally celebrated at Wembley to show that his legacy will continue in rugby league and beyond.
Burrow’s No.7 jersey is daubed above the midline with the words #OneRobBurrow, which is also printed on the Rhinos shirt, as he was honored for winning two of the competition as a player for Leeds United, where he played for 17 years , participated in 492 games. Burrow, who died last weekend at the age of 41, wasn’t just his ability on the field that made him a hero, but his determination to raise awareness of motor neurone disease and provide funds to help prevent others like him from being diagnosed with it. Suffering like that after meta-disease.
Fans laid flowers, shirts and scarves at a statue commemorating five rugby league legends outside Wembley Stadium. Supporters from all teams participating in the various finals paid tribute to the sixth legend; a blue number 7 balloon was tied to the monument and flew proudly. Burrow’s beloved Rhinos were in attendance in the women’s final, but Warriors, Wolves and Saints also took time to pay their respects, with blue and yellow dominating the memorial.
Each game begins with a perfect moment of silence, followed by a 60-second ovation in the seventh minute, the latter also taking place in the Rugby League Premiership final – a nod to Burrow’s numbers throughout his career, which also This resulted in the men’s final at Wembley being stopped at 3.07pm. The big screen showed Burrow holding the Challenge Cup, and the stands were filled with huge banners.
There is another banner at Wembley Park tube station with Bro’s face and the words. “A lad from Yorkshire who had to live his dream,” it read. No matter where anyone looks around the stadium, Burrow isn’t far away.
It was the first opportunity for many to say goodbye. More Leeds United fans than expected traveled to London knowing they could come together to celebrate their fallen Lionheart. Players warmed up with “7 Burrow” emblazoned on their jerseys to ensure he was with them throughout the game.
After an exciting week, the Rhinos failed to lift their spirits with victory in the women’s final. On a day when they failed to deal with St Helens, their players looked visibly affected in the silence before the game.
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As another message left at Wembley declared: “Rob’s legacy will live on through his incredible work and the treatment center that will be named after him.”
Burrow is gone, but what he leaves behind shows that he will not be forgotten.
