The Biggest Athletes Knighted By Queen Elizabeth II

Alex Ferguson, nicknamed “Fergie” by fans, is a former Scottish footballer and manager. Though he played professionally in the ’60s and ’70s, he’s famous for managing the football team Manchester United from 1986 to 2013, per Britannica. He received his knighthood, becoming Sir Alex Ferguson, in 1999 for his services to football. According to Independent, he was awarded the honor after he achieved a number of wins for the team, including the Premier League, the FA Cup, and the European Cup. At the time, he had played a big role in getting the team 12 major trophies.

When he made his trek to Buckingham Palace to officially be knighted by Queen Elizabeth II, naturally, he was nervous. “It is nerve-wracking, yeah. Yes, I think everyone who experiences it has the same feeling. I’ve been here [to Buckingham Palace] for the third time but you still have that sort of trepidation. It’s a wonderful day nonetheless,” he said in a 1999 interview after the ceremony.