A BBC presenter was visibly moved and struggled to contain her emotions during an emotional interview with rugby league icon Sir Kevin Sinfield. The former player was awarded a knighthood in the King's birthday honours list this year for his extraordinary fundraising work for Motor Neurone Disease (MND).
Emotional Interview on BBC Breakfast
Sinfield appeared on BBC Breakfast with journalist Sally Nugent on Saturday morning, where both were visibly moved. When asked if his late friend Rob Burrow was in his thoughts upon receiving the letter from the King, Sinfield fought back tears and said, “You are not making me cry again!”
He added: “He's in it a lot anyway. He's still inspiring. The courage and bravery he showed is still rippling and ripping right through the MND community and the rugby codes. In sport across the UK people want to talk to me about Rob all the time. He's never out of my thoughts but I'd have loved to have seen his smile when I told him this news because he loved everything we did.”
Sinfield's Tribute to Burrow
Sinfield, who has raised over £11 million since Burrow's diagnosis in 2019, expressed his desire to have seen Burrow's reaction. “He provided the inspiration for it all. I just think he'd be so happy. He wanted to make it better for those who came after him. He's certainly done that and will continue to do that. But I would have loved to have seen his smile this morning.”
As Sinfield spoke, Nugent appeared visibly moved. Sinfield, who also worked as an England rugby union coach, has received widespread recognition for his relentless efforts in raising awareness of MND.
Impact of MND on Rugby
The condition has profoundly affected rugby union, with several high-profile figures affected. Former England internationals Lewis Moody and Ed Slater are living with MND, while Scotland great Doddie Weir and South Africa legend Joost van der Westhuizen both succumbed to the disease.
Sinfield Reflects on Knighthood
Sinfield admitted he was “still coming to terms” with the honour. “I'm very humbled and overwhelmed by all of it. I think when you've played a team sport it feels very different to get individual awards. Effectively all I wanted to do was win team trophies or team awards. I'm a little bit embarrassed but massively overwhelmed and humbled.”
