“ROB WAS THE LOVE OF MY LIFE. NO ONE WILL EVER TAKE HIS PLACE” — LINDSEY BURROW’S HEARTBREAKING TRIBUTE TWO YEARS AFTER LOSING HER HUSBAND
“ROB WAS THE LOVE OF MY LIFE. NO ONE WILL EVER TAKE HIS PLACE” — LINDSEY BURROW’S HEARTBREAKING TRIBUTE TWO YEARS AFTER LOSING HER HUSBAND
The widow of rugby legend Rob Burrow has opened up about the grief that still catches her unexpectedly, the three children who keep her moving forward, and the promise she made to the man she will always love.
Two years after losing her husband, Rob Burrow, Lindsey Burrow is learning to navigate a life that looks very different from the one they once imagined together.
But although the former Leeds Rhinos star is no longer by her side, his presence remains woven into the everyday moments of their family life — in memories shared around the house, songs that suddenly bring him to mind, and the football matches he can no longer watch with their son.
Rob died in June 2024, aged 41, after a courageous battle with motor neurone disease (MND). His death left Lindsey and their three children — Macy, Maya and Jackson — facing a loss that words can never fully explain.
Yet Lindsey has remained determined to honour a promise she made to her husband: to keep living life to the fullest.
“NO ONE WILL EVER TAKE HIS PLACE”
In a recent interview, Lindsey spoke candidly about the depth of her love for Rob and the reality of moving forward without him.
Asked whether she could imagine finding love again, she made her feelings clear.
“Rob was the love of my life. No one will ever take his place.”
The words reflect a relationship that began when they were teenagers and continued through 17 years of marriage, family milestones and the devastating challenges of Rob’s illness.
Lindsey has described him as her childhood sweetheart and best friend — the person who knew her better than almost anyone else.
She has also expressed gratitude for the years they shared, even while acknowledging how painful it is that their time together was cut short.
WHEN THE SMALLEST MOMENTS BRING THE GRIEF BACK
Grief does not always arrive on anniversaries or other significant dates. Sometimes, it appears without warning.
For Lindsey, a song playing while she drives can suddenly bring Rob back into her thoughts. In an instant, an ordinary moment can become an overwhelming reminder of the person she has lost.
Other moments are equally difficult.
Watching other fathers stand beside their children at football can make her think about what Rob should still be there to experience with Jackson.
These are the everyday memories that make bereavement so complicated: life continues, but the absence of someone deeply loved can be felt in the places where they should have been.
Lindsey has been honest about having good days and bad days. Her determination to move forward does not mean that the pain has disappeared.
THREE CHILDREN KEEPING THEIR DAD’S MEMORY ALIVE
Through everything, Lindsey says their three children have given her strength beyond what they may realise.
Macy, Maya and Jackson continue to grow up without their father physically present, but his memory remains an active part of their home.
The family talks about Rob every day. They also keep memory jars filled with reminders of their time together, giving the children opportunities to revisit special moments and share stories about their dad.
Lindsey believes their children’s resilience reflects the example Rob set during his illness.
“They’re the reason I wake up with a smile in the morning,” she has said.
Her determination is not about pretending everything is fine. It is about allowing happiness and sadness to exist together while giving their children the chance to build full, meaningful lives.
A FATHER WHO WANTED TO MAKE EVERY MOMENT COUNT
Before his diagnosis, Rob was celebrated for his achievements in rugby league. But Lindsey has repeatedly emphasised that his greatest pride was being a husband and father.
He loved the simple parts of family life — playing football in the garden, reading bedtime stories and spending time with his children.
After receiving his MND diagnosis in December 2019, Rob continued trying to make memories with his family while raising awareness of a disease that would eventually take his life.
His determination helped bring national attention to MND and inspired widespread fundraising and support for research and care.
For Lindsey, preserving his legacy means more than remembering his sporting achievements. It also means keeping alive the values he showed at home: courage, positivity and a deep love for his family.
KEEPING A PROMISE TO ROB
Lindsey has spoken about her commitment to keep living life to the full, as she promised Rob she would.
That commitment has included raising awareness of MND and helping bring his vision for better care to life. The Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease at Seacroft Hospital in Leeds opened in 2025, creating a dedicated centre for people affected by the condition.
Her work continues a mission that mattered deeply to Rob: helping other families facing the same devastating diagnosis.
Still, her most personal way of honouring him may be found in the everyday moments — raising their children, telling stories about their dad and finding reasons to smile even on difficult mornings.
Two years on, Lindsey is not leaving Rob behind. She is carrying his memory with her as she continues to build a life for herself and their children.
Rob Burrow’s legacy lives on not only through rugby and the fight against MND, but through the family who loved him and continues to speak his name every day.
What would you say to Lindsey and her children as they continue this journey? Please share your messages of support with kindness and respect.
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