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Original poster

Kevin Sinfield carries Rob Burrow over Leeds marathon finish

59 replies

Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g · 14/05/2023 17:52

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leeds-65590288

I know nothing about either of them, but this has just made me quite emotional. Well done, Kevin.

Kevin Sinfield carries Rob Burrow

Kevin Sinfield carries Rob Burrow over Leeds marathon finish

The Leeds event is named in honour of ex-rugby league player Burrow, who has motor neurone disease.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leeds-65590288

OP posts:
ListenLinda · 14/05/2023 21:39

Kevin has always been my favourite Rhinos player, and stuff like this puts on a higher pedestal every time. He is such a good man, the best of friends.
Everyone needs a friend like Kevin.

I was there at the Grand Final when Burrow scored ‘that’ try. Always a legend in my eyes and even more so withthe way he has tackled this disease. He brings a lump to my throat, what a brave, brave man.

💙💛

LarkLane · 14/05/2023 21:48

Kevin Sinfield is an amazing man. I think he has been a fantastic and loving friend. He's put himself through some real gruelling challenges because of his love for Rob.
Both he and Rob Burrows have been incredible in their support and fundraising for MND, and there are people who, in time, will benefit from all they have done.

OnTheTuftedWilton · 14/05/2023 22:06

As someone else said, it has created far more awareness/publicity than if Kevin has pushed his chair over the line. The whole team with Rob and Kevin are amazing

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Chocolateteabag · 14/05/2023 22:31

OnTheTuftedWilton · 14/05/2023 22:06

As someone else said, it has created far more awareness/publicity than if Kevin has pushed his chair over the line. The whole team with Rob and Kevin are amazing

This!

Whether it made you cry or feel uncomfortable, Kevin carrying Rob over the line has created so much more buzz and media coverage for such an awful disease and the need to find a cure/treatment

Sunnycornwallanddevon · 14/05/2023 22:35

This has been so incredible to watch evolving over the years, heartbreaking but also so amazing too. Such a dreadful dreadful disease 😢

Zampa · 14/05/2023 22:51

I'm not criticising the action here btw, they're close friends, but if you didn't know the background it comes across as a bit ableist.

It's important that wheelchairs are looked on positively as gifting independence and dignity, meaning wheelchair users don't need to be infantilised. I worry this imagery perpetuates a wheelchair being a thing to escape.

OneFrenchEgg · 14/05/2023 23:00

I felt like @Coatedchocrabbits tbh, im sure pp are right and it was pre arranged but it wasn't (not possible, I know) 'helping' him across but carrying him over, with no visible interaction. So I can see why I and others had an initial moment of feeling uncomfortable.

LarkLane · 14/05/2023 23:10

The visible interaction was that he lifted his best mate up so they crossed the line together, with Rob's agreement. Kevin hugged and kissed him on the cheek.

It was a show of love between two friends. I thought it was very touching, and not intended to demean Rob at all.

Whyishewearingasombero · 14/05/2023 23:17

I have the privilege to work for the fundraising team of a major MND charity, these two men have done amazing things for the MND community.

CountMushroom · 14/05/2023 23:18

Zampa · 14/05/2023 22:51

I'm not criticising the action here btw, they're close friends, but if you didn't know the background it comes across as a bit ableist.

It's important that wheelchairs are looked on positively as gifting independence and dignity, meaning wheelchair users don't need to be infantilised. I worry this imagery perpetuates a wheelchair being a thing to escape.

I think that’s fair. I have no doubt that the carrying was pre-agreed, but I still think the point holds.

LiquoriceAllsorts2 · 15/05/2023 05:25

Based on his interview for bbc breakfast I think Rob wanted to be carried over to ensure that they finished at the exact same time as each other.

ApolloandDaphne · 15/05/2023 05:34

It was very emotional to watch. My DH ran in it yesterday and said there was a fantastic atmosphere and a huge turnout.

Radyward · 15/05/2023 07:54

I tbought it very staged and all about Kevin . If it wasnt it was a kind emotional thing to d

pillsthrillsandbellyache · 15/05/2023 07:59

Of course it was staged. I understand some people may have felt uncomfortable but it bothers me a little that people assume Rob has no autonomy. He does. He wanted to cross with his friend at the exact same time. I wish everyone was lucky enough to have a friend like Kevin.

IneedanewTV · 15/05/2023 07:59

It was a beautiful amazing act that has generated so much positive publicity. I wish I had a friend like that.

LiquoriceAllsorts2 · 15/05/2023 08:01

CountMushroom · 14/05/2023 23:18

I think that’s fair. I have no doubt that the carrying was pre-agreed, but I still think the point holds.

Show quote history

Surely the imagery though is that the wheelchair has enabled him to do the 26.2 miles

Thesearmsofmine · 15/05/2023 08:05

It was obviously staged/pre agreed to cross the line together. People talk about it infantilising Rob but they are doing the same thing by assuming he has no autonomy or choice.

NameforMN · 15/05/2023 08:09

My thoughts exactly @Thesearmsofmine . I also don't understand the PP who said it's all about Kevin. What a spiteful comment given you don't know what the agreement was, and therefore the motivation.

Simianwalk · 15/05/2023 08:11

I think they're both really competitive and wants his hand to cross the line before Rob 😁.
Seriously it will have been pre-agreed. I think the fact it raises a mix of emotions is in itself an interesting thing to do as it makes us question our understanding of the disability. I'm disabled but not a wheelchair user. Its quite good to feel uncomfortable sometimes about disability and issues around it and work through those thoughts.

WarmFunKindStrong · 15/05/2023 08:20

Made me weep. It felt like such an kind thing to, a testimony of their friendship...

Sirzy · 15/05/2023 08:24

I can only assume anyone who thinks it was all about Kev or wouldn’t have been mutually discussed before has no idea of the personalities and the friendship of these two. Back to their playing days they have always been close and the couple of times I was lucky enough to meet them genuinely lovely people.

mrsblueskyeye · 15/05/2023 08:29

Coatedchocrabbits · 14/05/2023 17:55

I’m torn between it being a lovely thing to do and whether it was a bit demeaning to Rob Burrows. The poor man didn’t look very comfortable, despite his illness he’s still an adult man, not a baby.

I thought exactly the same. So undignified, he grabbed him like a sack of potatoes. Should have left him in his chair.

IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads · 15/05/2023 08:34

People have been knighted for less than what Kevin Sinfield has done.

I live a bit south of Leeds and have followed their story through local, then National, media and my boss is a massive Leeds Rhinos fan. I think they are wonderful!

NooNooNotSoGreat · 15/05/2023 08:40

They are incredibly close friends and they think the world of each other(As is clear from Rob's book) I suspect that Kevin knows much more about Rob's feelings and wishes, which he's capable of making known than any of us.

CabernetSauvignon · 15/05/2023 08:42

KnickerlessParsons · 14/05/2023 18:24

To me, it seemed to make it all about Kevin rather than Rob.

Clearly it didn't. What a mean-spirited response.