After being made a knight in the King’s Birthday Honours, rugby league fans can finally rejoice and officially call Kevin Sinfield a Sir after years of recognising him as an inspiration.
Whether it be as a player or in his post-playing career where he’s taken on the incredible charitable causes to support the Motor Neurone Disease community, Kevin Sinfield has made a lasting impact with the long-lasting calls for him to be knighted finally being answered.
Sir Kevin Sinfield will now set about completing his seventh and final 7 in 7 challenge to raise money and awareness to fight MND later this year, though he’ll continue to be a beacon for the community long after his challenge ends.
There has been an outpouring of love for the former Leeds Rhinos captain after the news of his knighthood, including from current Rhinos player Ryan Hall and the club chief executive Jamie Jones-Buchanan, both of whom played alongside Kevin Sinfield.
“I couldn’t think of anyone more deserving of it,” Hall said in a video shared to the Leeds Rhinos YouTube channel.
“As a Rhinos group, we’re so proud of him. It comes through adversity but that’s the type of guy that he is. He’s done what he’s done on the back of Rob’s diagnosis for the MND community and it’s the way he’s gone about his business. He does it with great integrity.”
Speaking on the same platform, Jamie Jones-Buchanan said: “(We’re) massively proud, just in awe of Kev. At Headingley, we’ve sung the song ‘Sir Kevin Sinfield’ for many years because we’ve always known that is who he is but now to be recognised by the powers that be is so important and a massive part of his journey.”
Former teammate Barrie McDermott took to social media, simply stating: “About time too!”
Rugby League fans react after Kevin Sinfield lands long-awaited knighthood
Fans have also been reacting and paying tribute to Sir Kev, with plenty commenting in response to Serious About Rugby League’s reporting on Sinfield’s knighthood. We’ve selected a handful of those responses that best showcase the feeling among the rugby league family.
Lilian Wigham: Well deserved but to us, he was already Sir Kev. Legend
Gary Everitt: Just proves all heroes don’t wear caps! Arise Sir Kevin!
Kath Haley: It was only a run with a mate and then a run for a mate. Congratulations at last.
Chris Buist: There is no one more deserving of a knighthood than Kevin Sinfield, well done Sir Kev.
Paul Gleave: Proof that if you wait long enough, doing incredible things is eventually recognised.
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