Wakefield Trinity Head Coach Daryl Powell Pays Heartfelt Tribute to Rugby League Legend Rob Burrow
In a poignant display of respect, Wakefield Trinity head coach Daryl Powell has honored the memory of rugby league icon Rob Burrow, who sadly passed away. Speaking to BBC West Yorkshire, Powell expressed the deep admiration he held for Burrow, a warrior both on and off the field.
“You just feel like he’s out of pain now,” Powell reflected. “You’ve seen him for the last five years, it’s just been really difficult.”
Burrow, who was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease in 2019, had courageously fought the debilitating condition, eventually losing the ability to move his body and speak without the aid of a machine. Yet, through it all, he remained steadfast, using his platform to drive positive change.
Powell recalled his early encounters with Burrow, saying, “I remember seeing him as a young man, coming through the scholarship, and just thought: ‘wow, this kid’s gonna be anything he wants’… and he turned into that player, and then he showed he’s just he’s been a champion all the way through.”
Indeed, Burrow’s illustrious rugby league career, spent entirely with the Leeds Rhinos, was nothing short of remarkable. He won an astounding eight Super League titles, two Challenge Cups, and three World Club Challenges, cementing his legacy as one of the most decorated individuals in rugby league history.
“An Unbelievable Man Who Epitomises Everything That’s Good in Life”
“Really tough for everybody in rugby league, and obviously for his family,” Powell acknowledged. “He’s been incredibly well brought up by his parents and then he’s obviously instilled all of that in his family. I just hope they can all be at peace, but know that he’s been inspirational to so many people. An unbelievable man who epitomises everything that’s good in life I think.”
Even after his playing days, Burrow continued to inspire, advocating for those affected by Motor Neurone Disease and the construction of the ‘Rob Burrow Centre’ to support those with the condition. His unwavering spirit and determination in the face of adversity have made him a true rugby league legend.
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