Kevin Sinfield, marathon with his friend Rob Burrow paralyzed in his arms – Corriere.it

Rob Burrow he is 40 years old of which 16 lived in the rugby league (rugby 13) as “the smallest player in the League”, given his 165 cm and 70 kg. But his life suddenly changed end 2019when he was diagnosed with motor neuron disease, similar to ALS.

Since then, just over three years have passed, the decline linked to the disease has been unstoppable and now theformer England winger lives in a wheelchair at his home in Leeds with his wife and three children, he communicates through a computer, but continues to struggle to survive. AND he completed the marathon on Sunday of his city — the first in 20 years — which was dedicated to him. She did thanks to lifelong friend Kevin Sinfield, who lifted him from the wheelchair — in which he pushed him for the entire 42 km and 195 meters — and transported him across the finish line in a moment of great emotional impact.

The Yorkshire City Marathon has become a charity event collection for motor neuron diseases and Sinfield – national team defense coach – helped to collect at least 8 million pounds (9.2 million euros) from the day of the diagnosis to the friend. Sunday’s marathon and the accompanying half marathon made it possible to raise another million euros. Sinfield he explained: «Raising funds for the Mnd Association and for Leeds hospital is important, but this was also a celebration of friendship. It was important for the city and beyond.”

Burrow, struck down by the disease at 37, shortly after retiring from playing, is just one of many ex-rugby players or ex-footballers who has been affected by ALS or related illnesses. So much so that once again the world of English rugby has found itself having to question itself on an age-old question: the danger of blows to the head and their long-term consequences. In some cases, such as that of Ryan Jones, former Wales captain, the correlation between the traumas received in his career and his illness has in fact been ascertained.