Always Sir Kev: Why Kevin Sinfield’s final 7 in 7 feels like his knighthood moment
He’s the Leeds Rhinos legend who never asked to be a hero - regardless, the nation has made him one anyway.
Kevin Sinfield - or as he is affectionately known by the fans as Sir Kev - was snubbed from the Honours list once again due to a technicality.
But as he prepares to lace up his trainers for a final punishing 7 in 7 challenge next year it would feel very apt that this could finally be his year to be recognised formally for all the hard work, dedication and inspiration he has shown to earn the nation’s highest honour.
In an age hungry for role models, Kevin Sinfield has turned his quiet loyalty to his team mate Rob Burrow, who sadly died after a courageous battle with motor neurone disease, into a public force for good.
He has selflessly put his body through the wringer to raise millions of pounds to fight the cruel condition that robbed him of his pal.
And next year marks the seventh and final annual 7 in 7 ultramarathon series. Starting in Hull, Kevin and the team will work their way through the Rugby League heartlands aiming to call at all 12 Super League clubs based in England and as many Rugby League clubs as he can in dedication to the sport.
He will then finish at the Super League Grand Final at Old Trafford on October 3 with his shirt emblazoned with the number seven in honour of Rob’s career.
Speaking at the time he said: ““The final 7 in 7 Challenge was always going to be a special one for us.
“The number seven is so important to us because it was the number that Rob wore on his shirt during his incredible Rugby League career.
“He lit up Old Trafford in that shirt on so many occasions and it is fitting in this final challenge that we should bring the Rugby League community together to celebrate Rob and also show our support for the MND community.
“As a 7 in 7 team, we have talked about making sure that every member of that community knows they are loved and cared for, especially at the darkest of times.”
Every single mile of his punishing challenge has not been for glory. Instead it has been for friendship, dignity and hope.
And if honours are meant to reflect the values we admire the most, then the timing could hardly be more fitting for Kevin Sinfield to be knighted.
He has always been Sir Kev to us - and always will be.