There is growing frustration that Kevin Sinfield is still not Sir Kevin Sinfield after the latest New Year Honours, but there is a reason for it.
The 45-year-old put together a legendary rugby league career with Leeds Rhinos, England and Great Britain.
He moved into rugby union and is now the skills and kicking coach for the England team.
Sinfield’s rugby achievements are immense but they have arguably been surpassed by his charitable work, which has been mind-blowingly mammoth.
Inspired by his former Leeds Rhinos teammate and great friend Rob Burrow, Sinfield has taken on incredible physical feats to raise money and awareness of motor neurone disease.
Burrow suffered with MND after his diagnosis in 2019 until his death at just 41 years old in 2024.
In 2020 Sinfield ran seven marathons in seven days in a fundraising cause, raising well over £1m.
He has continued to take on these incredible tasks, with the latest being the 7 in 7: Together challenge this month, which saw him run seven ultramarathons in seven days.
The Oldham-born hero has now raised over £11m for MND charities and is not done there, saying after completing the latest challenge: ‘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.’
Why hasn’t Kevin Sinfield been knighted?
Sinfield’s achievements have not been ignored. He received an MBE in 2014 for services to rugby league and then an OBE in 2021 for both his work on the pitch and charitable fundraising.
In the 2024 New Year Honours he was awarded the CBE for services to motor neurone disease awareness.
Royal protocol states that an honour cannot be upgraded within a three-year period, meaning that Sinfield must wait another year to be knighted, which seems very likely to happen in the 2027 New Year Honours.
Kevin Sinfield’s Honours
MBE: 2014 (services to rugby league football)
OBE: 2021 (services to rugby league football and charitable fundraising)
CBE: 2024 (services to motor neurone disease awareness)
Calls for Sir Kevin to arise!
A Change.org petition titled ‘Give Kevin Sinfield a Knigthood’ has been signed by over 94,000 people.
Organiser Mel Handforth told The Mirror of the protocol stopping the move: ‘I think it is absolutely ludicrous that he has not been given the knighthood. It is a ridiculous rule.’
Former MP and now Member of the House of Lords John Mann was calling for protocol to be overridden for Sinfield in 2023, saying: ‘The work they have done is outstanding and the impact it’s having on communities is very positive and refreshing.
‘This is a couple of ordinary lads doing extraordinary things.
‘It would be baffling if that doesn’t happen – that’s an excuse factor.
‘Protocol should be overridden in this case, absolutely – the public acclamation demands it. There’s nobody more fitting anywhere.’
Sinfield has had royal recognition, with Prince William making both he and Burrow CBEs in 2024.
As the rugby legend neared the completion of his latest challenge, the Prince of Wales posted: ‘Kevin, huge congratulations on nearing the finish of your incredible 7 in 7 challenge!
‘Your commitment to Rob and everyone affected by MND is truly inspiring.
‘Thank you for shining a light on the need for research and support, and for the hope and example you bring. Look after those knees! W.’