Former Wigan captain and recent Rugby League Hall of Fame inductee Shaun Edwards OBE believes Kevin Sinfield richly deserves his nomination for BBC Sports Personality of the Year.
Edwards, who became the 24th member of the Hall of Fame, was part of the Wigan side that scooped Team of the Year in 1994.
The 36-time Great Britain international heaped praise on Sinfield as a worthy contender of the prestigious prize, which will be awarded this Sunday evening in Belfast.
“I think it’s absolutely fantastic for Kevin to be nominated for Sports Personality of the Year,” he said.
“Kevin is a great role model for kids growing up wanting to play the sport and is very dedicated to what he does, which was evident when they won the treble this year.
“He thoroughly deserves his nomination and it would be great for him to win it for himself and also for Rugby League.”
Edwards remains the most decorated player in Rugby League winning the Challenge Cup a record nine times, clinching eight Championship titles with his hometown club and tasting World Club Challenge victory three times – the last one came 21 years ago when he led Wigan to a famous 20-14 win against Brisbane Broncos Down Under in 1994.
The 49-year-old feels that the former Leeds Rhinos captain’s inclusion in the nominations list for the illustrious award is great recognition for Rugby League.
“It’s fantastic for the sport of Rugby League to have somebody nominated for Sports Personality of the Year,” said Edwards.
“A lot people I’ve spoken to are pleased that someone from the sport has been nominated for it, especially someone like Kevin who has achieved so much in Rugby League.”
