He's Leeds’ greatest ever captain and renowned leader who’s helped raise millions for motor neurone disease charities.
But Kevin Sinfield maintains it is the Burrow family who are the true epitome of inspiration - and an example to us all.
Sinfield, of course, has wowed everybody with his incredible feats of running endurance in support of ex-Rhinos team-mate Rob Burrow’s battle with the terminal disease.
But as he continues to increase both awareness of the horrific condition and hope for so many sufferers, it is never lost on the former England skipper just how staggering Burrow’s own courage remains in the shape of unthinkable adversity.
Sinfield said: “It’s really tough for any of us to try and put ourselves in Rob’s shoes. Or in the shoes of anybody who’s got MND.
“It’s such a terrible, tragic disease. There is nothing like this. So when it comes to trying to understand it, I don’t think you can.
“When you are observing it, you don’t quite know how to help other than trying to do a little bit where you can and spend time with them to try and understand some of the things they go through day to day.
“To see the way Rob has been (since his diagnosis four years ago) doesn’t surprise me as I know him very, very well.
“But in many ways it does surprise me, too, as this private guy who was quite shy is suddenly now front and centre of showing the world how to live.
“Within that, the family as a whole has been incredible. Lyndsey is superwoman. The way she’s gone about looking after the kids, the way she cares for Rob, running marathons, having a full-time job: she is an unbelievable woman.
“She’s shown us what love looks like and what family looks like. They deserve so much love, credit and care from the rest of us. Because we all need positive examples in this - good role models - and we all need how it should look and what it could look like if we work at stuff. It’s just an incredible family.”
Given his own selfless attitude and belief in the power of teamwork, it should come as no surprise that Sinfield’s new book The Extra Mile is as much about his great friend than himself.
And the 42 year-old’s love of the entire MND community shines through.
Sinfield, who details his epic running challenges including last year’s 'Ultra 7 in 7’, explained: “The cumulative effect of everything is massive.
“Rob has been so inspirational for me; he’s been a tower of strength. “The MND community as a whole is the best of us.
“I’ve spoken to so many people now who have either got MND, have family members with it, or friends or family members who have passed. They are so tough. They are fighters. They have spirit, humour, they are incredible people and they are a community that I love to bits and I’m passionate about.”Sinfield has hinted at a fourth challenge to come having also completed a 24-hour 101 mile run from Leicester to Leeds in 2021 and seven marathons in seven days.
But, first, with a World Cup the only major trophy to elude him in rugby league, he hopes to correct that in the 15-man code.
Appointed just six months ago as England’s defence coach, he admitted: “I’m really excited about what’s to come. The World Cup in September and October is huge. I’m equally excited about getting back into camp. The squad, working with our coaching team and trying to help players improve and get better. We understand we have a lot of work to do. But we’ll absolutely give it our best shot.”
- The Extra Mile by Kevin Sinfield is published by Century (£20 hardback, £13 audiobook and £9.99 ebook)
