Why Kevin Sinfield has not been knighted yet after latest heroic challenge
Kevin Sinfield has raised over £11million in total but current protocol means he is not able to be given a knighthood
Calls are mounting for rugby league legend Kevin Sinfield to be knighted following his latest extraordinary fundraising feat for motor neurone disease (MND) charities.
The Leeds Rhinos hero completed his remarkable 7 in 7: Together challenge on Sunday afternoon, running seven ultramarathons of at least 28 miles each over seven days across the UK and Republic of Ireland. Finishing the final stretch outside AMT Headingley Stadium in Leeds, the challenge alone raised over £1 million for charity.
In total, Sinfield has drummed up over £11 million for MND research and support, spurred on by the diagnosis of his close mate and former Leeds teammate Rob Burrow in 2019. Despite being given just a year to live, Burrow defied the odds and inspired millions before sadly passing away last year, three-and-a-half years after his diagnosis.
Sinfield’s incredible efforts have not gone unnoticed. He was awarded a CBE for services to MND awareness in the 2024 New Year Honours List. This followed an OBE in 2021 for services to rugby league and charitable fundraising, and an MBE in 2014 for services to rugby league.
READ MORE: Inside Kevin Sinfield’s ultramarathon for MND charity as rugby league icon nears finishREAD MORE: Olympic hero to join Kevin Sinfield on latest gruelling ‘7 in 7’ challenge for MND
However, it has previously been reported protocol rules have prevented him from receiving such recognition, as honours typically cannot be upgraded within three years of being awarded. Having received a CBE in 2024, this could mean waiting at least another 12 months before becoming eligible.
The Mirror previously told how some Cabinet Office staff were “disappointed” and “p***** off” at red-tape holding up a knighthood.
Politicians and campaigners have made widespread calls for these protocols to be waived, allowing Sinfield to finally become a Sir in recognition of his heroic dedication.
Andy Bell, chairman of Featherstone Lions Rugby Club in Wakefield – where Burrow played as a youngster – said: “He should have been knighted by now really. What he has done is quite exceptional.
“I know that there is a rule that says he cannot be honoured within three years of his last honour. People don’t really know about that rule around here and he would be as good a reason as any to break that rule. The fans already call him Sir Kevin.”
Independent peer Lord John Mann previously said: “Protocol should be overridden in this case, absolutely – the public acclamation demands it.”
Almost 50,000 people have signed a petition backing his knighthood, with Piers Morgan publicly supporting the campaign. Writing on X, he stated: “Few more deserving candidates for a knighthood than Kevin Sinfield after another astonishing achievement from this remarkable man who does so much for [MND Association].”
Lindsay Hoyle, the Speaker of the House of Commons, has also urged for Sinfield to receive the honour, posting on X: “What an amazing man, you have earned a knighthood.”
The Leeds Rhinos legend has won the support of Burrow’s father Geoff, who told the Daily Star: “If ever anybody deserved a knighthood, it’s Kevin Sinfield. What he’s done to support MND sufferers is just incredible. He’s putting himself through this torture.
“When we meet up, I ask ‘Why do you keep doing it?’. He says ‘Because I can and I want to’. Well, they sound like two of the best reasons I can think of. Kevin is keeping Rob’s name at the forefront. We’re forever grateful of him.”
Following the completion of his latest challenge on Sunday, Sinfield addressed the hundreds of supporters who gathered at Headingley Stadium to welcome him at the finish line: “To the MND Community and the people we’ve met on route, all through the last week, all through the past five years, to everybody we’ve met, you’re an absolutely beautiful community. We’ve got to keep fighting for the MND Community.”
Should Sinfield receive a knighthood, he will be only the second rugby league player to become a Sir, following Welsh legend Sir Billy Boston who was knighted earlier this year.
