THE RFL have congratulated legendary duo Kevin Sinfield and Neil Fox after they were recognised in the King’s Birthday Honours.

Sinfield becomes a Sir after being made a Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire (KBE) in recognition of his tireless fundraising efforts in memory of his late friend and former Leeds Rhinos teammate Rob Burrow, who died from motor neurone disease aged 41 in June 2024.

Fox, the former Wakefield Trinity and Great Britain centre, has been made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE).

Also on the Honours List is Professor Chris Brookes, chair of Wigan Warriors and former chief medical officer for the England team, who has been made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE).

Sinfield, 45, has already been honoured three times – MBE in 2014 for services to Rugby League, Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 2021 for services to Rugby League and charitable fundraising and CBE in 2024 for services to motor neurone disease awareness.

He has raised more than £11million for MND charities since Burrow was diagnosed in 2019 and has just confirmed details of a seventh and final ultra-running challenge in September and October.

There have been numerous calls for Sinfield to be knighted, with House of Commons Speaker Lindsay Hoyle recently describing him as “a Rugby League legend who should be Sir Kevin Sinfield”.

Nigel Wood, chair of the RFL and RL Commercial, said: “On behalf of the Rugby Football League, and the sport, it is a privilege to congratulate Sir Kevin Sinfield on his knighthood.

“Rarely has such an honour been so richly deserved – and so widely applauded. I am sure the whole of the Rugby League community would agree. 

“Sir Kev not only achieved so many feats in our sport, including captaining Leeds Rhinos in one of the greatest eras for any club in our history, but he also earned global acclaim for his truly remarkable efforts when supporting his much-loved friend Rob Burrow and the entire motor neurone disease community.

“No one will forget the numerous arduous running challenges, which tested his mind, body and spirit, that he completed – and continues to undertake – to raise crucial funds and awareness for MND.

“Sir Kev is an inspiration to so many, whether as one of the finest players of his generation, leading the Rhinos to seven Super League titles, Challenge Cup and World Club Challenge glory plus captaining England and winning the Golden Boot as the world’s best international, or for those staggering feats of endurance in aid of Rob and MND.

“He has affectionately been known as ‘Sir Kev’ for years by Leeds supporters and it is wonderful for that moniker to be made official by His Majesty The King.

“After Sir Billy Boston became Rugby League’s first knight last June, ending a long 130 year-wait for the sport, it is encouraging to witness another of our brilliant ambassadors being bestowed the same honour and recognition.”

Fox, 87, who helped Wakefield win three Challenge Cup finals in four years between 1960 and 1963 and the league title in both 1967 and 1968, was made an MBE in 1983 for services to Rugby League.

The main stand at Trinity’s DIY Kitchens Stadium is named after him and he is recognised as the games’s world-record points scorer with 6,220 between 1956 and 1979 (he also played for Bradford Northern, Hull KR, York, Bramley and Huddersfield as well as various representative teams).

Wood added: “It is an honour to be able to celebrate Neil Fox’s award of a CBE.

“Neil’s astonishing feats, largely with the glorious Wakefield Trinity side of the 1960s, have stood the test of time in Rugby League. It is almost unimaginable today to think that Neil played more than 800 professional games.

“Nearly half-a-century after his glorious career drew to a close, still no one has yet got close to his all-time scoring record. Indeed, it’s hard to envisage it ever being surpassed.

“Among players of his generation, he was widely regarded as the finest of centres, both here and overseas.

“A member of the famous Great Britain touring side who won the Ashes in 1962, it is wonderful to see Neil still attending games at his beloved Trinity and remaining such a significant part of that community.”

Brookes, 66, has served the sport for 30 years in a range of roles alongside a distinguished career in the National Health Service.

Wood said: “It’s fitting that Professor Chris Brookes has also been honoured by the King with an MBE for his services to Rugby League.

“Along the way he has served with distinction, in his role as doctor at clubs such as Salford, Bradford Bulls and Wigan, but also on the international scene where he worked with the England national side for a long time.

“He continued his exemplary work as the RFL’s chief medical officer for 16 years, producing crucial work in fields such as brain health and player welfare as well as steering the game through the pandemic, before stepping down in 2023.”