Geoff Burrow, father of rugby league icon Rob Burrow, has passed away today following a period of ill health, Leeds Rhinos have confirmed.
The Leeds-born campaigner dedicated himself to raising awareness for the motor neurone disease community after his son received his devastating diagnosis.
His death comes after Rob, one of the sport’s most celebrated figures, lost his own battle with the condition.
Throughout his son’s illness and beyond, Geoff remained at the forefront of efforts to secure better funding and care for those living with MND, earning recognition as a tireless advocate for the cause.
Rob Burrow received his MND diagnosis in December 2019, a revelation that would transform his family into passionate advocates for those affected by the disease.
The rugby league legend, who spent his entire professional career with Leeds Rhinos, died in June 2024 at the age of 41.
Following his diagnosis, the Burrow family threw themselves into campaigning work, pushing tirelessly for greater awareness of motor neurone disease.
Throughout his son’s illness and beyond, Geoff remained at the forefront of efforts to secure better funding and care for those living with MND, earning recognition as a tireless advocate for the cause
|
GETTY
They also fought for improved funding and enhanced care provisions for patients living with the condition.
Their efforts helped shine a spotlight on the challenges faced by the MND community across the country.
Geoff played a prominent role in the campaign’s most significant achievements, including attending the inauguration of a cutting-edge MND facility at Seacroft Hospital in Leeds last year.
The new centre represented a major milestone for the community he had worked so hard to support.
Beyond his advocacy work, Geoff had spent his professional life standing up for others as a trade union representative.
Leeds Rhinos described him as someone who consistently championed those who lacked a voice throughout his career.
This commitment to helping others clearly extended into his later years as he fought alongside his son for the MND cause.
In their tribute, Leeds Rhinos highlighted Geoff’s role in nurturing his son’s passion for the sport, noting that he took Rob to his first match at Headingley, sparking a lifelong love of the club.
Rob Burrow was killed by the disease in 2024 | PA
The statement described him as “a devoted husband, father and a grandfather.”
The club extended their “deepest condolences to Geoff’s wife Irene and the Burrow family at this sad time.”
They also requested that the family be afforded privacy during this difficult period.
“May he rest in peace,” the statement concluded.