Leeds Rhinos captain — and the man who raised millions for motor neurone disease charities through extraordinary endurance challenges.
Kevin Sinfield ran seven marathons in seven days in 2020, then followed it four years later with an even more extreme ultra-challenge, both in support of motor neurone disease research after his former Leeds Rhinos teammate and captain Rob Burrow was diagnosed with the condition. The fundraising from those efforts has run into the tens of millions of pounds, dwarfing what most retired athletes manage through charity work by any measure. On the field, Sinfield spent his entire career at Leeds, captaining the club to seven Super League titles across a run that made the Rhinos the dominant force in the competition through the 2000s and early 2010s -- a rare case of a homegrown player staying with one club through its entire golden era rather than moving on once bigger offers arrived. His post-playing work earned him an OBE, but it's the image of him carrying Burrow across the finish line at the 2022 Leeds Marathon, the two of them completing it together, that's become the defining photograph of his life after rugby -- arguably more widely seen than anything from his playing career itself.
Leading Leeds Rhinos to seven Super League titles as captain
How They Played
Outstanding goal-kicker, tactical playmaker, inspirational captain with exceptional game management skills
Lasting Impact
One of rugby league's greatest leaders and most successful captains in Super League history
Career Honours
- Super League 7x (Leeds Rhinos)
- Challenge Cup 3x
- Great Britain Test player
- MBE for charity work
| Club | Period | Apps | Tries |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leeds Rhinos | 1997–2015 | 521 | 1781 |
| Bradford Bulls | 1996–1997 | 2 | — |
 England | — | 27 | 90 |