Kevin Sinfield receives knighthood and says Rob Burrow would be proud

Sir Kevin Sinfield said his late friend Rob Burrow would be "laughing" but "enormously proud" to see him receive a knighthood, according to BBC Sport. The former England rugby league captain and motor neurone disease (MND) campaigner was one of 60 people to receive honours from the Prince of Wales at an investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle, BBC Sport reported on 7 October. He received the knighthood for his services to the MND community, as well as for services to rugby league and rugby union.

Sinfield said he was "massively humbled by the whole experience" and "very proud to accept it on behalf of the MND community and their families". According to BBC Sport, he has raised more than £11m for charity. Asked how Burrow would have felt about the knighthood, Sinfield said: "I think he'd be laughing. I think he'd be enormously proud of the support behind a campaign that he started, and we continue in his name."

The 46-year-old said the prince, who presented Sinfield and Burrow with their CBEs at Headingley Stadium in 2024, had been "fantastically supportive" of their campaign. William, alongside the Princess of Wales, surprised Sinfield on the third day of his 7 in 7: The Grand Finale challenge, during which he completed seven ultra-marathons in seven days. The challenge was inspired by Burrow, his late Leeds Rhinos team-mate and friend, who died in 2024 after living with MND for four years. Olympic triathlon champion Alistair Brownlee, from Dewsbury, was also among the recipients at the investiture, according to BBC Sport.

Sinfield said he would like to plan a run in Australia and New Zealand next year, and "ensure that collaboration is taking place between nations that are working incredibly hard to try and find a cure and to look after families better". He said the reaction from the MND community to his knighthood had been "wonderful", and that he felt "incredibly fortunate to be here today accepting this on their behalf". He said he had not got used to the title "Sir Kevin", adding: "I don't think I ever will."