Leeds Rhinos legends Kevin Sinfield and Rob Burrow were again recognised in the New Years Honours List but still many were dismayed.
This is because despite Burrow’s courageous battle against Motor Neurone Disease for the past four years, despite the role models both have been of friendship and perseverance, despite the inspiration both have provided and crucially the £15 million the duo have raised in the fight against MND, they still haven’t been awarded knighthoods.
Previously, Sinfield was awarded an MBE for his services to the sport of rugby league and had this upgraded to an OBE for his charity work in the fight against MND. Burrow likewise was awarded an MBE for his fight against MND and now the pair are both set to receive CBEs which is one step down from knighthoods.
Rugby union response has been pretty surprising with rugby union journalist chalking the decision down to rugby league not being part of the establishment.
A lukewarm explanation from a sport that considers itself within the establishment and one that doesn’t reflect the brilliant work Sinfield has done in the 15 man code.
Either way, Sinfield and Burrow will continue to go above and beyond in the fight against MND with Sinfield recently revealing just how much he goes through in his challenges:
“I trained every day. I need to do it. It’s probably my 30-minute window. I try and do something every day. I know it’s good for me. I need it. I need it if I’m going to function properly as a human being and get the best out of myself.
“It’s really important to me. I did run. I ran a fair bit with a number of the coaches. I’m a professional coach, it’s an important part of my daily routine but I’m pretty smart as well. When you’ve had 20 years as a professional sportsman and you suddenly pick up road running as a bit of a hobby, the knees aren’t always too happy about it.
“I’m smart with what I do, I do a lot of cross training and I’ve changed my routine a fair bit but running was some really nice parts of France to run in.
“Since I finished playing and I entered the real world, if you like, running helps me fix things, helps me clear my head, helps me to be a better person. So, yeah, it’s an important part of who I am now. When I can’t run for whatever reason, then I don’t think I’m great company. So, hopefully I can keep running for a long time.”
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John Firth
March 1, 2024 at 10:56 pm
Previous to my last comment stating if they had been rugby union players it would have been a different outcom.Has any former rugby league player ever been knighted. I cannot think of any.
Eric T Cat
June 17, 2024 at 4:51 pm
Of course, the Establishment bias is as strong as ever, no royal has attended a match since when? 2019? A senior political figure? I’m amazed they were recognised at all. I’d go further, I’d strongly urge the RFL to drop the National Anthem, the sport exists despite the attempts of the Establishment to crush it utterly. Professionalism changed little other than they blame their failures on ex League players given the opportunity, never forget England RFU lost a game because of Sam Burgess, despite not being in the squad and being elsewhere at the time. Question the bias of the BBC who desperately cling to the flat hats, whippets on a string, and pint of mild image, they’ll get angry I was told “How dare you have the temerity to question the decisions of the BBC!”, I dare because I’m forced to pay for it. Even Sky, who in early years survived through those subscribing to Rugby League before they got football have fallen into step. Their coverage of the two codes is very different. The national media, we might as well not exist. Even sponsorship is hard to find because of bias. It’s there, as strong as it ever was, and unlikely to change.
Alan Bailey
November 24, 2024 at 8:00 pm
Just to say Kevin sinfield and the l
Just to say I hope Kevin sinfield and the late Rob Burrows get a knighthood for all they have done get rid of the BBC bias get the premiership football players to dip into their pockets and surely they would get the medical centre in no time and for the rugby union top brass hooray Henry’s and the snobbery that goes on in the UK get a life don’t forget if you have your health we are all millionaires so to all the people who can afford this plea for this charity please pull your finger out! And bloody do something!.
John
May 24, 2025 at 8:54 am
I think his achievements promoting aid to MND are more important than a knighthood, and certainly more important than anything rugby union has to say!
Can we not take them to court over the use of the word “union” because they certainly do not promote it at any level.