Sir Lindsay Hoyle has hailed Rob Burrow as an inspiration whose legacy will long endure, at a ceremony to honour the late Leeds Rhinos star.
Burrow died last month at the age of 41 after a battle with motor neurone disease, a condition he campaigned passionately to raise awareness of.
The former England international devoted the final years of his life to fundraising for MND charities, with one aim being to build a specialist care centre in Leeds.
Hoyle, the Speaker of the House of Commons and president of the Rugby Football League, was among a number of guests to pay tribute to Burrow’s achievements at a civic reception in Leeds on Friday.
Hoyle said: “Every club has its most iconic, legendary figures and Leeds can boast many such individuals.
“However, I can say without fear or contradiction that no one has more respect and more recognition and more love than one Rob Burrow.
“His positivity, his determination and his resilience gripped the hearts of the nation and I know will always be an inspiration to so many others.
“A true rugby league legend, an inspirational fighter against a cruel disease, a loving family man.
“Rob will never be forgotten and he will always be admired. He will be that rugby league legend, he will be that warrior, he will be that fighter for us all.”
Members of Burrow’s family were present at the event at Leeds Civic Hall, which featured several videos and speeches saluting his sporting and charitable endeavours.
Other speakers included Burrow’s former Rhinos team-mate Jamie Jones-Buchanan and representatives from Leeds City Council, MND charities and Leeds hospitals.
Councillor James Lewis, leader of Leeds City Council, said: “It is really fitting that we, as a city, are coming together to celebrate and to commemorate Rob’s life and we will work to find a fitting long-term legacy.
“But I know for many people that legacy will be in finding a cure for MND, a horrible disease.
“If we can work together to find a cure for that disease and to find the therapies, it will be a fitting tribute.”
Burrow made 492 appearances for Leeds – his only professional club – between 2001 and 2017 and won eight Super League titles, two Challenge Cups and three World Club Challenges.
He was diagnosed with MND in 2019. Among his subsequent achievements was the establishment of the Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon, which has raised more than £7million for charity since its inaugural event last year.
Burrow’s funeral was held in Pontefract last Sunday with thousands of people lining the streets to pay their respects.