LONDON, ENGLAND: The friendship between Kevin Sinfield and Rob Burrow is nothing short of an inspiration. It's hard not to have heard of Sinfield, who is constantly grabbing headlines for his relentless efforts to help his pal and former teammate Burrow, who was diagnosed with motor neuron disease (MND) in 2019.
Sinfield, 42, has notably spent the last couple of years taking on various sporting challenges to raise money for Burrow, 40. His journey of devotion began in 2020, when he famously "just went for a run for a mate" to support MND charities and raise awareness about the disease. Last year, the rugby union coach completed ‘The Ultra 7 in 7’ challenge, running seven ultra-marathons in seven days. He has continued to take on several physical challenges to raise money for the debilitating disease.
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An emotional moment that left the world in tears
In the Men’s Rugby League World Cup Final, Sinfield finished at Old Trafford at halftime and raised more than £7 million ($8.7 million) through his challenges and was even awarded an OBE by the Duke of Cambridge (now HRH Prince William of Wales). He went on to receive a standing ovation and a special award at the BBC Sports Personality of the Year ceremony in Salford, according to Leeds Live. Recently, Sinfield's devotion to Burrow had the world in tears as he pushed his best friend the whole 26.2 miles of the inaugural Rob Burrow Marathon, before carrying him over the finish line. The heartwarming gesture reignited calls for Sinfield to receive a knighthood.
Kevin Sinfield and Rob Burrow's friendship
It's worth noting that Sinfield and Burrow are two highly regarded sportsmen who once played together for the Leeds Rhinos. They were an unstoppable duo and a force to be reckoned with, with many regarding the pair as the cornerstones of Rhinos' success. They went on to win eight Super League titles in a 14-year period, leading the popular club through one of rugby league's most successful dynasties. Unfortunately, as fate would have it, Burrow -- often regarded as one of the greatest players to grace the field -- was diagnosed with MND in December 2019.
Burrow's condition has regressed rapidly since and he is currently bound to a wheelchair and unable to communicate without computer assistance. Regardless, the pair are closer than ever. Sinfield was notably Burrow's leading man on the pitch and his best friend off of it. "That friendship has been unassailable during the terrible diminution of Burrow, the man who seemed unbreakable as a slight, quick, tough, talented rugby league player when they played in the Leeds Rhinos team together," sports columnist Ian Herbert wrote in an op-ed for the Daily Mail.
Sinfield hasn't left Burrow's side through the years, despite the latter's obvious struggles. "Sinfield has kept his friend's torch burning," Herbert insisted. "You only had to see Burrow on that finishing line, lifting his head to survey the scene as Sinfield held him, to know that. But this is a friendship of equals. Sinfield, who had pushed Burrow around the entire Leeds marathon circuit, has found a purpose which transcends sport," the sportswriter added.
