Thousands of people lined the streets to pay their respects to Leeds Rhinos legend and motor neurone disease campaigner Rob Burrow as a private funeral service was held.
Burrow passed away at the age of 41 on June 2, four and a half years after being diagnosed with motor neurone disease.
The service was attended by many of Burrow’s ex-team-mates and coaches, including Kevin Sinfield, with whom Burrow raised more than £15m for MND charities since his diagnosis.
Image: Burrow passed away at the age of 41 on June 2, four and half years after being diagnosed with motor neurone disease
Sinfield – who ran seven ultra-marathons in as many days last December to generate funds – flew back from New Zealand, where he has been part of the England rugby union side’s coaching staff.
The funeral procession passed by Featherstone Lions’ ground where Burrow played rugby as a young boy, and slowed again through Featherstone near to where he played junior rugby.
Cars arrived and slowed into Pontefract Crematorium, passing through family and friends for the final time before a haka was performed as Burrow was carried out of the hearse.
Burrow’s former Leeds colleagues Jamie Jones-Buchanan, Ryan Hall and Matt Diskin were among those also present.
Team-mate and close friend Kevin Sinfield sent a special message to Leeds fans following Burrow’s passing
‘Burrow a true inspiration, a giant of a person’
Leeds chief executive Gary Hetherington told the PA news agency of Burrow: “He was a true inspiration.
“The whole rugby league community has come together supported by Leeds Rhinos fans and so many others and his efforts over the last four and a half years with MND inspired the nation.
“With so much support from those such as Kevin Sinfield, politicians and other sports figures… it has been quite remarkable and he leaves a huge legacy. This is the final journey, it has been a remarkable chapter.
Leeds Rhinos gathered to remember their inspirational number seven and give Burrow the fitting tribute he deserved in the match against Leigh in June
“We all knew what the outcome would eventually be and Rob has been remarkable with his fight and what he’s been able to do, not only Rob, but his family.
“The whole family have come together and have been supported by sport in general. It’s brought people together and has moved the nation.
“He was full of life, full of ambition and full of enthusiasm.
“Rob was 5ft 4in but was a giant of a man, a giant of a rugby league player and a giant of a person.”
You can donate to the MND Association at www.mndassociation.org/skysports
John Cena will retire from in-ring competition with WWE at the end of 2025, bringing an end to a career that has included winning 16 world championships.
Cena appeared at WWE’s Money in the Bank event in Toronto on Saturday night to reveal that he would embark on a farewell tour next year.
The 47-year-old said he would wrestle at the Royal Rumble and Elimination Chamber in early 2025 and also at the two-night extravaganza WrestleMania 41, which will be held in Las Vegas on April 19 and 20.
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Cena, who has competed in WWE on a part-time basis since 2018 with his acting career taking off, later said in a press conference that he would work between 30 and 40 dates up to December 2025.
He has headlined WrestleMania five times, including in 2012 and 2013 when he fought Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson on both occasions.
Cena last wrestled a singles match in November 2023 against Solo Sikoa although he teamed with The Miz and R-Truth in a six-man tag match against The Judgment Day in April of this year.
Check out 10-year-old Littler doing his best Cena impression as WWE invited the teenager to an event
Speaking on his farewell tour, Cena said: “I approached the WWE with this idea and they kind of initiated the talks that this would be a great span of time if we were ever going to do it.”
He hopes to continue in a non-wrestling capacity with WWE.
Cena’s film credits include Trainwreck, The Suicide Squad, Fast & Furious 9 and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
He has also hosted Saturday Night Live and is currently starring in Peacemaker on HBO.
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We look back at the Wimbledon career of Andy Murray.
2005 – Wimbledon bow
An 18-year-old Murray made his senior Wimbledon bow and there were high hopes for the teenager after his victory at the US Open juniors the previous year. Wins over George Bastl and 14th seed Radek Stepanek only added to the hype.
He faced David Nalbandian in the third round and had the former finalist on the ropes – winning the first two sets – and almost on the canvas until cramp set in and Murray eventually lost in five thrilling sets 6-7 (4-7) 1-6 6-0 6-4 6-1.
The teenage wildcard proved his world-class potential on Centre Court and walked off to a standing ovation.
2006 – Below-par performance
Murray returned to Wimbledon the following year as Britain’s No 1. With an ATP Tour title under his belt, he set up a meeting with ever-popular American Andy Roddick in round three.
The home crowd roared the teenager on and he responded in style to comfortably defeat Roddick in straight sets.
He was unable to repeat the feat in the next round, however, as he succumbed to flamboyant Cypriot Marcos Baghdatis 6-3 6-4 7-6 (7-2) in rather subdued fashion on Centre Court.
2008 – The Gasquet grind
A wrist injury forced Murray to miss the 2007 championships, but the home favourite was back in 2008 and eager to make his mark. Having coasted through his first three encounters, the flying Scotsman went up against Richard Gasquet and his beautiful backhand in round four.
The match turned out to be a classic with Murray fighting back from two sets down to win 5-7 3-6 7-6 (7-3) 6-2 6-4 and reach his first Wimbledon quarter-final.
A certain Rafael Nadal lay in wait and, despite high hopes, the Spaniard dominated the match as he stormed towards his maiden Wimbledon title.
2009 – Under the lights
With his conqueror from the previous year absent through injury, Murray was the top seed in his half of the draw. He survived a scare in the fourth round against Stan Wawrinka in another dramatic five-set win.
It was the first full match played under the Centre Court roof and it became a classic. The Scot had to dig deep to win it as the match ended at 10.38pm BST – it was the latest finish in Wimbledon history.
Image: Under the lights on Centre Court. It didn’t disappoint!
Following that epic victory, he beat Spain’s Juan Carlos Ferrero in straight sets to reach the semi-finals.
Roddick was Murray’s opponent in his first Wimbledon semi-final and the British No 1 was widely expected to see off the American. However, Roddick took advantage of Murray’s cautious approach to win in four sets.
2010 – Semi-final sorrow
The Queen was present to see the highlight of Murray’s 2010 campaign at the All England Club – a crushing straight-sets win over Frenchman Gilles Simon. A quarter-final with another French star, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, provided Murray’s first real test, with the Scot winning in four sets.
The world No 4 faced the daunting task of overcoming Nadal if he wanted to reach his first Wimbledon final. But Nadal proved too strong again, winning in straight sets, 6-4 7-6 (8-6) 6-4.
2011 – Ruthless Rafa
Another year, another semi-final defeat for Britain’s finest. Nadal was once more the opponent on the opposite side of the net. Murray started well and took the first set 7-5. But things started to unravel from there, and it was the Spaniard who romped to a four-set victory.
2012 – Runner-up
Murray made harder work than in previous years of making the latter stages of the tournament. He required four sets to beat Ivo Karlovic, Baghdatis and David Ferrer to reach the semi-finals, where he dropped another set but comfortably beat Tsonga to reach his first Wimbledon final.
Six-time champion Roger Federer stood in the way of Murray winning his first Grand Slam title. A fantastic start saw Murray take the first set 6-4, but the Swiss ace hit back to win the next three and claim the title.
Murray’s revenge came just weeks later as he crushed Federer in the Olympic final, which was also held at the All England Club.
Image: Olympic gold
2013 – The dream comes true
Murray finally realised his lifelong dream in 2013 when he became Britain’s first Wimbledon men’s singles champion for 77 years after beating Novak Djokovic in an historic final.
Image: The wait is finally over for Murray
He was in ice-cool form in the searing heat of Centre Court to grind down the 2011 champion, 6-4 7-5 6-4.
The US Open champion’s second Grand Slam triumph saw him become the first Briton since Fred Perry in 1936 to win the men’s crown at the All England Club.
2014 – Disappointing defence
Murray had a new face in his corner for the grass-court season after appointing former women’s world No 1 Amelie Mauresmo as his coach.
He looked in decent touch in the early rounds as he reached the quarter-finals without dropping a set.
But he surprisingly fell well short as he exited the tournament with a humbling 6-1 7-6 (7-4) 6-2 defeat by Grigor Dimitrov. The Bulgarian’s big serve, variety of shots and athletic defence proved the difference.
2015 – Inspirational Federer
Murray dropped just two sets en route to another Wimbledon semi-final and, with realistic hopes of reaching his third final at the All England Club, he came up against Federer, who was a week short of his 34th birthday.
The cerebral Swiss provided a masterclass in serving, so much so that at one point in the match Murray shouted towards his box: “What do you want me to do?”
Image: The drama on Henman Hill was palpable
Federer went an astonishing 45 minutes without dropping a point behind his ultra-reliable first serve as he romped to a 7-5 7-5 6-4 victory.
2016 – Double champion
Image: Wimbledon champion
With Djokovic the victim of a shock early exit, Milos Raonic dumped Federer out in their semi-final to earn a spot opposite Murray in the final. His 11th Grand Slam final was the first against an opponent other than Djokovic or Federer.
Image: He did it again!
But the afternoon was all about the man from Dunblane, who romped to a straight-sets win to become a two-time winner and this time he soaked it all in.
2017 and 2018 – Hip problems
Murray was hampered by a hip injury as he was knocked out in the quarter-finals by Sam Querrey in 2017. He pulled out of the 2018 tournament, the day before it was set to begin. He said: “Playing best-of-five-set matches might be a bit too soon in the recovery process.”
2019 – The comeback
Image: Murray and Williams were the dream team of Wimbledon in 2019
Murray returned to Grand Slam tennis less than six months after having hip resurfacing surgery. He competed with France’s Pierre-Hugues Herbert in the men’s doubles, and the mixed doubles with none other than the great Serena Williams.
The Herbert combination did not quite gel, but the ‘Mur-rena’ dream team fared much better until they fell to top seeds Bruno Soares and Nicole Melicha in the fourth round.
2021 – Return from groin injury
Having seen Wimbledon cancelled in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic, Murray made his return in 2021 on the back of nursing a groin injury for three months.
He would feature as a wild card at Queen’s where he lost to first seed Matteo Berrettini in the second round, before securing a wild card for Wimbledon. Murray opened with wins over Nikoloz Basilashvili and qualifier Oscar Otte only to suffer defeat to Denis Shapovalov in the third round.
2022 – Back in the top 50
Murray logged impressive victories over Stefanos Tsitsipas and Nick Kyrgios in Stuttgart before losing to Berrettini in three sets, with his form lifting him back into the top 50 for the first time since 2018 at No 47.
He was later ruled out of Queen’s due to injury, but returned to Wimbledon to overcome James Duckworth over four sets in the opening round followed by a second-round defeat to big-serving John Isner.
2023 – Tsitsipas epic
Murray and Tsitsipas treated the Centre Court crowd to a thriller as the pair traded excellence in a back-and-forth classic under the lights.
Murray had arrived ranked 40th in the world and came from a set down to build a 6-7 (3-7) 7-6 (7-2) 6-4 advantage only for the second-round match to be halted due to the 11pm curfew at Wimbledon.
The delay would prove a cruel dent to Murray’s momentum, with Tsitsipas returning refreshed the following day to march to a 7-6 (7-3) 6-7 (7-2) 4-6 7-6 (7-3) 6-4 victory after four hours and 40 minutes.
2024 – Murray’s farewell
Image: Jamie and Andy prepare to play doubles at Wimbledon on his farewell appearance
Murray, 37, is playing in his final Wimbledon but pulled out of his singles opener against Czech Tomas Machac on Tuesday due to a back problem.
Murray is competing in the men’s doubles with his brother Jamie, while also teaming up with fellow Briton Emma Raducanu in the mixed doubles.
Watch the WTA and ATP Tours throughout 2024 on Sky Sports Tennis. Stream Sky Sports Tennis and more with a NOW Sports Month Membership. No contract, cancel anytime.
Tiger Woods will be given a lifetime exemption into PGA Tour Signature Events starting next year.
An additional Signature Events sponsor exemption will be created to recognise Woods in his own category having reached an exceptional lifetime achievement threshold of more than 80 career wins.
The exemption, voted through by the PGA Tour policy board, enables Woods to participate in all eight signature tournaments of the tour for the rest of his career, each of which has substantial prize money and limited fields.
The 48-year-old, who counts 15 majors among his 82 wins on the PGA Tour, has been playing a limited schedule for years due to several injuries and has not automatically qualified for these events.
Woods has competed in only nine official PGA Tour events in the past three seasons since returning to action at the 2022 Masters. The only non-major event he has competed in is the Genesis Invitational at Riviera Country Club outside Los Angeles, which he hosts.
Woods revealed he is not sure if this will be his last appearance at the US Open
In his first four starts this year, Woods withdrew from one event, finished last among those who made the cut at the Masters and then missed the cut at the PGA Championship and last week’s US Open.
In the US Open, Woods finished his two rounds seven over par, meaning that he missed the cut after ending just two shots over the limit with 74 golfers making the cut on five over.
Signature Events are limited-field tournaments featuring top players with increased prize money. In 2024, three of the eight Signature events featured a 36-hole cut while the remaining five did not have a cut.
Was this Tiger Woods’ last US Open? Paul McGinley and Paige Mackenzie discuss his day two performance
For 2024, the top 50 players from the previous season’s FedExCup points list through the Tour Championship were eligible to participate in all Signature Events this year.
Watch PGA Tour and DP World Tour action live this season on Sky Sports. The 152nd Open at Royal Troon is live from July 18-21 on Sky Sports Golf. Stream the PGA Tour, majors and more with NOW.
Rugby league legend Rob Burrow will be honoured by Hull FC at Leeds Rhinos’ first Super League match following his tragic death from motor neurone disease.
Burrow passed away aged just 41 recently after being diagnosed with the degenerative condition in 2019, just two years after retiring from the sport.
In a glittering 17-season career spent entirely with the Rhinos, Burrow won eight Super League titles, two Challenge Cup trophies and three World Club Challenges.
Leeds are set to play in the club’s first Super League fixture since the rugby league legend passed away and hosts Hull FC will pay tribute at the MKM Stadium on Saturday.
Fans flocked to Headingley to pay tribute to former Leeds Rhinos star Rob Burrow following his death
As the teams enter the field of play ahead of the match, a video remembering Burrow’s life and some of his most iconic moments will be played, before former team-mate Liam Sutcliffe, and current Leeds Rhinos captain Cam Smith lay wreaths pitchside on behalf of both clubs in his memory.
A minute’s applause will be observed ahead of kick-off and there will also be a minute’s applause in the seventh minute of the game.
Image: Burrow won eight Super League titles, two Challenge Cup trophies and three World Club Challenges with Leeds
A statement from Hull FC said: “The club was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of the Rugby League legend earlier this month – Rob was a warrior, a hero and an inspiration, who fought his battle with Motor Neurone Disease with incredible strength, dignity, and bravery.
“His legacy to both the sport of Rugby League, and the MND community, will never be forgotten.
Burrow wrote his name into Grand Final history with his stunning solo try which set Leeds Rhinos on course for victory in 2011
“In consultation with the Rhinos, the club have confirmed a number of tributes which will take place before and during the fixture.
“Supporters will be able to make donations to the Leeds Hospitals Charity’s Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease, with bucket collections taking place inside the stadium – young players from Rob’s community club Featherstone Lions will take part in the bucket collection.
Leeds Rhinos forward Cameron Smith remembers former team-mate and coach Burrow and says he was a maverick on the pitch
“Fans will also be able to sign the club’s Book of Condolence at the MKM Stadium retail store ahead of kick-off – supporters who wish to sign the book are advised to arrive in good time.
“Members of the Hull FC squad will wear a special warm-up jersey ahead of kick-off, sporting Burrow’s name and the number seven, which is synonymous with the eight time Grand Final winner, as well as black armbands during the match.
An emotional Burrow took to the field for the final time in January 2020 to a standing ovation at a sold-out Headingley
“The jerseys will be signed by the players and auctioned via the club’s eBay channel in the coming weeks, with all proceeds donated to the Leeds Hospitals Charity’s Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease.
“The match ball will be delivered by Hull FC legend Scott Taylor, who was a close friend of Rob’s and recently ran the Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon raising money for the Motor Neurone Disease Association.”
