Rugby legend Rob Burrow speaks out about MND diagnosis

Rugby player Rob Burrow, who most famously played for Leeds Rhinos, has been diagnosed with motor neurone disease.

Rob, who is 37, has now spoken about the diagnosis that he received just over a week ago.

The degenerative condition, commonly referred to as MND, affects how nerves in the brain and spinal cord function.

There is currently no cure for the disease, a fact which fellow sportsman Doddie Weir has been fundraising to change since his own diagnosis.

Speaking to BBC Look North, Rob talked about the shock of the diagnosis, saying: “It’s one of the frustrations, the doctors and specialists don’t know how you got it, and there’s not much they can do.

“You don’t know much about your life expectancy, for example Stephen Hawking lived 54 years with it.”

Explaining that with an athlete’s mindset he is remaining positive, Rob revealed that he has met with Doddie and hopes to get involved with his work.

During his rugby career Rob won eight Grand Finals, three World Club Challenges and two Challenge Cups over 17 years. He also won 15 caps for England before retiring in 2017.

Rob is now the club’s reserve team head coach.

Leeds have announced that the testimonial taking place on Sunday 12 January for Jamie Jones-Buchanan against Bradford Bulls will now be a joint fundraiser for Rob, too.

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