“Why hasn’t Kevin Sinfield been knighted?” How social media reacted to Leeds Rhinos legends’ awards

Last night, Leeds Rhinos legends Rob Burrow and Kevin Sinfield were given awards at Sports Personality of the Year Awards as Burrow was given the Helen Rollason Award and Sinfield was given a special award.

Unsurprisingly, Leeds Rhinos were quick to congratulate them:

Congrats to @Rob7Burrow on winning the Helen Rollason award, which recognises individuals in the face of adversity at #BBCSPOTY Kevin Sinfield also received a Panel Special award for his remarkable fundraising for research & support for MND

➡️ Donate https://t.co/R8XQfsOKuP pic.twitter.com/LKAXtTAIVt

— Leeds Rhinos (@leedsrhinos) December 21, 2022

The RFL was quickly behind them:

👏 @Rob7Burrow, Sir Kev – #RugbyLeague is so proud of you.pic.twitter.com/Eh5D90muTd

— Rugby Football League (@TheRFL) December 21, 2022

Naturally, the charity MND Association also congratulated the pair:

Congratulations to MND Association patron, Kevin Sinfield, who was given a Special Award at this evening's BBC Sports Personality of the Year.

It acknowledges Kev's epic fundraising in the fight against #MND, raising £7 million in honour of his friend, @Rob7Burrow.

💙 #BBCSPOTY pic.twitter.com/VwbxSrNfmV

— MND Association (@mndassoc) December 21, 2022

Leeds fans were also very proud:

I just love Rob Burrow and Kevin Sinfield. So proud.

— Leeds Rhinos Newsroom (@RhinosNewsroom) December 21, 2022

Many were left in tears as the two collected their awards:

Absolutely in bits watching Rob Burrow and Kevin Sinfield. There are no words to describe these two magnificent and truly inspirational men.

— Pete Emmett (@emmo99) December 21, 2022

Current scenes in our household…..

Absolute Heroes…….

MASSIVE SHOUT OUT TO LINDSEY BURROW

THE ULTIMATE SUPERHERO 👏👏👏 pic.twitter.com/wYpL7nHTcu

— Six_Again Part II – This Time It's Territorial (@Six_Again) December 21, 2022

It was special for those in attendance too:

Standing ovation for Rob Burrow and Kevin Sinfield honoured at #SPOTY pic.twitter.com/0ycIZhch84

— Richard Frediani (@BBCFrediani) December 21, 2022

Many of course focused on the special friendship the two have which could inspire us all:

The friendship and bond between Sinfield and Burrow is truly special. Robs wife is a true inspiration as well

— Michael O'Dwyer (@ody_85) December 21, 2022

Whilst others felt that their award made the rest of the awards inconsequential:

After Sinfield and Burrow the result of #SPOTY doesn’t matter. Legends

— Daimo Moore (@OriginalDaimo) December 21, 2022

They were the “right winners” in the eyes of most

Rob Burrow & Kevin Sinfield.Absolutely the right winners for both of those awards.Courage in the face of adversity & absolutely going above and beyond.Completely selfless thanking & dedicating to everyone else.
Again these 2 make me cry & smile at the same time. #SPOTY #mnd

— Reb (@RunningReb13) December 21, 2022

Meanwhile, some rightly felt what they have done dwarfs any sporting achievement

No sporting achievement can come close to what Kev Sinfield has and continues to do for MND.

💙🧡

— Steven Hodgson 💙💛 (@86Hodgson) December 21, 2022

Wigan Warriors star Willie Isa also leapt in to congratulate Sinfield whilst Super League official Liam Moore did the same:

Kevin Sinfield is the man

— Willie Isa (@ISA_Willie) December 21, 2022

Rob Burrow, Lindsey Burrow, Kevin Sinfield. Inspirational #BBCSPOTY #MND

— Liam Moore (@liamjmoore1) December 21, 2022

Naturally, there were calls for Sinfield to now be knighted:

I don't see why Kevin Sinfield hasn't received a knighthood #SPOTY

— James Noakes (@jimnoakes) December 21, 2022