Billy Boston becomes rugby league's first knight after long-awaited honor

In a significant ceremony held at Buckingham Palace, Billy Boston, a former rugby league player, was honored with a knighthood, marking a historic moment in British sports. This event took place on June 6, 2025, and is viewed as the correction of a long-standing oversight regarding the recognition of rugby league players compared to their union counterparts. Boston, now 90 years old, was celebrated not only for his sporting achievements but also for his pioneering role as a Black athlete in Britain during the 1950s and 1960s. Boston's exemplary career spanned from 1953 to 1968, during which he played for Wigan, scoring a remarkable 571 tries. He was also the first Black player to represent Britain on an overseas Lions tour in 1954, accumulating 36 tries in 18 matches in Australia and New Zealand, and played in a total of 31 international test matches. His contributions to the sport were acknowledged during the ceremony, where British Prime Minister Keir Starmer praised him as a true trailblazer who significantly impacted rugby league. The decision to bestow this honor upon Boston came after persistent advocacy from local councillors, lawmakers, and prominent figures in the rugby league community, who have highlighted the stark contrast in recognition between rugby league and rugby union. While rugby union has seen 20 players knighted, rugby league's long history, deeply embedded in northern English communities, has received comparatively little acknowledgment. This recognition is viewed as a long-needed celebration not only of Boston's individual legacy but also of the sport's rich cultural significance. As Boston battles dementia, this acknowledgment offers a timely tribute to a legendary figure whose accomplishments have opened doors for greater diversity within rugby league. The knighthood represents not just an honor for Boston but also a historic rectification for the sport at large.