Public pressure is mounting for rugby league legend Kevin Sinfield to receive a knighthood, with a petition calling for the honour nearing a major milestone of 100,000 signatures.
Overwhelming Public Support for a 'Sir Kevin'
The campaign, which has been significantly boosted by a front-page call to action from the Mirror newspaper, has seen signatures surge by over 40,000 in just two weeks. As of now, the petition stands at an impressive 93,319 names. Should it cross the 100,000 threshold, the issue would typically be considered for debate by MPs in Parliament.
The petition was started almost four years ago by lifelong Leeds Rhinos fan Mel Handforth, 47, from Garforth, Leeds. She recently relaunched the drive following Sinfield's latest fundraising triumph. "I think it is absolutely ludicrous that he has not been given the knighthood," Mel told the Mirror. "It is a ridiculous rule."
The Protocol Hurdle and Sinfield's Staggering Fundraising
The primary obstacle is official honours protocol, which normally mandates a three-year gap between upgrades. Having received a CBE in January 2024, this rule would technically make Sinfield ineligible for a knighthood until at least 2027. Supporters argue that his extraordinary contributions warrant an exception.
Sinfield's charitable efforts in memory of his late friend and teammate Rob Burrow are nothing short of phenomenal. His latest challenge, the '7 in 7' ultramarathon which concluded in Leeds on 7 December 2025, raised an additional £1.3 million for motor neurone disease charities. This took his total fundraising figure to more than £11.3 million.
Prince William, who described Sinfield as "truly inspiring", personally awarded both Sinfield and Burrow their CBEs at Headingley Stadium in January 2024. The Prince later returned to open the Rob Burrow Centre for MND last month, joined by Sinfield and Burrow's family.
A Legacy of Friendship and Unwavering Commitment
Rob Burrow died in June 2024 at the age of 41 after a four-and-a-half-year battle with MND. Sinfield's fundraising crusade, which began while Burrow was still alive, is driven by a profound commitment to his friend's legacy and the wider MND community. "He's not doing this for recognition," emphasised petition creator Mel Handforth. "He's doing it because he cares deeply."
The final event of his latest challenge was a Santa Dash starting at Leeds Beckett University. It was the first time Sinfield and his team had visited Leeds since Burrow's passing, marking an emotional return. Sinfield, now a coach with the England rugby union team, is famed for carrying Burrow over the finish line at the Leeds Marathon in 2023.
Andy Bell, chairman of Featherstone Lions Rugby club where Burrow played as a junior, summed up the public sentiment: "What he has done is quite exceptional." As the petition climbs towards six figures, the nation waits to see if this groundswell of admiration can prompt a review of the rules for a truly exceptional individual.
