By Phil Harlow

My dad was a big inspiration to me when I was growing up Bradford Bulls forward Sam Burgess

Bradford's Sam Burgess is rated as the brightest young prospect in the game for his astonishing performances on the field of play.

But it is what he does away from the Super League cauldron that really marks him out as something special.

At an age when most young sportsmen of his stellar standard have little more to think about than negotiating their next boot sponsorship deal, Burgess is a carer for his terminally-ill father.

Thrown into the first-team as a 17-year-old last season, Burgess immediately adapted to the demands of Super League, earning comparisons with New Zealand superstar Sonny Bill Williams.

And the likeable Burgess is as impressive a character off the field as he is a ferocious presence on it.

"My dad was diagnosed with motor neurone disease about 18 months ago," Burgess, who turned 18 last month, told BBC Sport.

"I look after him a lot. He's poorly and caring for him takes up a lot of my spare time.

"But he still comes along to watch me play whenever he can."

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Motor neurone disease - which affects about 5,000 people in the UK - damages the cells responsible for enabling muscle movements.

The cells should send chemical messages to allow movement, but the disease destroys them over time, causing muscle weakness and wasting to occur.

Burgess lives at home with his father, Mark, and his two younger brothers.

Mark Burgess was also a well-regarded rugby league player for the likes of Nottingham City, Rochdale, Dewsbury and Hunslet although he never quite hit the heights for which his son now seems destined.

"My dad's got to a stage where me and my brothers have to do a lot for him because he can't really get around," said the former England academy captain.

"I've got two younger brothers who also live at home with me and my dad and I've got an older brother (Luke, who plays at Leeds Rhinos' academy) who comes around when he can to help out as well.

Burgess made people sit up and take notice last season

"My dad's always been a huge part of my life and was a big inspiration to me when I was growing up."

Burgess, who was coached by his father as a youngster, said the responsibility of looking after his father had made him mature as a person.

"I think it probably has made me grow up a lot," he said.

"You have no choice, but it's something I'm happy to do and I don't think of it as a burden at all."

Burgess, who is comfortable at prop, second row or loose forward, is hoping to establish himself in the Bulls first team in Super League XI.

And the talents of Burgess will be a key part of Bradford's hopes of reaching their sixth Grand Final in seven years after missing out last season.