Leeds Rhinos legends Kevin Sinfield and Rob Burrow have been awarded CBE’s in the New Year’s Honours List.
Despite this, many are devastated that the duo haven’t been awarded knighthoods as many people believe they deserve.
Sinfield, 43, is awarded a CBE along with close friend and former Great Britain and Leeds Rhinos team mate Rob Burrow, 41, for their campaigning efforts in raising awareness and funds for finding a cure for Motor Neurone Disease (MND).
Sinfield was awarded an MBE in 2014 in recognition for his outstanding playing career in rugby league and subsequently an OBE in 2021 for his work in raising awareness and funds for those impacted by MND. Sinfield’s friend Burrow was diagnosed with MND in December 2019 and since then has used his own battle with the disease to give a voice to all those living with MND. Burrow was awarded an MBE in 2021 in recognition for his work for the MND community.
The friends will now both receive the CBE and hope to be able to do it together after plans for them to receive their 2021 at the same time were scuppered when Burrow was taken ill.
England v Fiji – 2023 Summer InternationalCommenting on the award, Sinfield, whose latest challenge in December once again raised over £1 million, said, “When you think what we have done over the last few years, it is not about getting honours, it is about the MND community. I feel like I’m the one getting singled out but it’s been a real team effort from everybody. I can’t do it on my own, I need everybody to do their bit and it’s been an incredible journey.”
“It was the middle of November, got a letter through the post so massively humbled, just yeah really nice isn’t it. When you think what we’ve done over the last few years it’s not about getting honours it’s about the MND community and to do it with that Number 7 on our backs has been incredible and I feel like I’m the one getting singled out but it’s been a real team effort from everybody. I can’t do it on my own I need everybody to do their bit and it’s been a bit of a journey.
“I think it’s really special but I’m going to focus my attention on Rob and the Burrow family because the bit that we’ve done in this is a bit of running he’s been so brave and courageous fighting MND to open the front door and to show the world what it’s like to live with it, he’s been incredible. I think the whole family have shown us all what a great family look like and they’ve been so inspirational.”
Despite being happy about the CBEs, fans are devastated that they didn’t get knighthoods with one fan saying: “CBEs are great but these lads deserve Knighthoods.”
Another described it as: “Utter disgrace when the likes of Fabricant & the rest of the cronies are awarded knighthoods, but decent, honest, Northern folk raise millions for MNDA just shows you how corrupt this country is and how we still have a class system. Keep up the good work King Kevin, a true king.”
This was reiterated again: “Congratulations both, but it should have been knighthoods for the work they are doing raising awareness of MND.”
Another said: “It should have been a Knighthood for both of them instead they give them to the likes of the Wetherspoon owner….. the honours system is really flawed.”
One fan said he was “appalled”: “Appalled Kevin Sinfield has not been knighted. Although happy awards have been given to both him & Rob Burrows. Congratulations”
