Unbelievable! Football legend Kammy honoured for inspiring others
Footballer, manager, pundit, TV presenter and singer – Chris Kamara MBE has done it all during his career.
The former Bradford City AFC player and manager has another title to add to that list – Doctor of Health – after receiving an honorary award from the University of Bradford.
Nicknamed Kammy, Chris revealed in 2022 that he has Apraxia of Speech, a disorder which affects the way a person connects speech messages from their brain to their mouth.
Known for his ‘Unbelievable!’ catchphrase, Chris has received the University award ‘In recognition of his exceptional dedication to raising awareness of speech apraxia and men’s mental health, and his successful career as a footballer and sports personality.’
Chris Kamara has been awarded an honorary award as Doctor of Health by the University of Bradford. Images credit: KiranMehta@KM Images/University of Bradford
‘Phenomenal’ honour
Chris, 68, awarded his honorary doctorate on Wednesday 15 July, said: “It’s an honour to be given something like this – it’s unbelievable! This award is phenomenal.
“I never imagined in a million years that something like this would be bestowed upon me. From now on if I’m on a plane and the pilot asks, ‘Is there a doctor on board?’, I’m going to put my hand up!”
He added: “My health is good. I don’t talk as quickly as I used to. I have accepted the new me. At first, I thought I would wake up and be fine and that it was all a bad dream. My speech is fluent. It doesn’t break up anymore. I have gone full circle to accepting how I am now.
“I got treatment in Mexico for three years on the bounce and that has improved me an awful lot.”
Chris Kamara has been awarded an honorary award as Doctor of Health by the University of Bradford. Images credit: KiranMehta@KM Images/University of Bradford
Who is Chris Kamara?
After a seven-month spell in the Royal Navy, Middlesbrough-born Chris kicked off his professional football career at Portsmouth in 1975.
The midfielder then represented Swindon Town during two spells, Brentford, returned to Portsmouth, and Stoke City.
In 1990 Chris signed for Leeds United where he was part of the side that won the Second Division Championship that year.
After leaving Elland Road in 1991, Chris went on to play for Luton Town, Sheffield United, Middlesbrough and Bradford City AFC, retiring in 1995 after 641 professional games, scoring 71 goals.
Chris Kamara has been awarded an honorary award as Doctor of Health by the University of Bradford. Images credit: KiranMehta@KM Images/University of Bradford
Kammy’s Bradford connection
Following his playing retirement, Chris became manager of Bradford City AFC. During his three years in charge, he guided the Bantams to promotion to the First Division in 1996, after beating Notts County 2-0 in the play-off final.
He also helped the Bantam of the Opera singing group of the club’s supporters, assembled for the Bradford 2025 City of Culture celebrations.
Chris said: “It was a great time to take 30,000 Bradfordians to Wembley for the first time in the club’s history for the play-off final.
“The Bantam of the Opera choir have been amazing. They did so much during the City of Culture year.”
Kammy on TV
Chris began his career as a commentator in 1996, becoming a well-known football television pundit, following a brief spell as Stoke City manager in 1998.
He became a popular mainstay of Sky Sports’ football coverage as their first in-vision reporter at live matches from 2000, particularly for the channel’s Soccer Saturday results service programme. He had an infamous on-screen moment in 2010 after failing to recognise a Portsmouth player had been sent off in a match against Blackburn Rovers that he was reporting on, instead informed of the red card by in-studio presenter Jeff Stelling.
Chris later became a primetime Saturday night TV presenter on shows including ITV’s Ninja Warrior UK.
Chris Kamara is congratulated by Professor Gillian Murray, University of Bradford Vice-Chancellor, after receiving his honorary award. Images credit: KiranMehta@KM Images/University of Bradford
Giving back
Away from the football pitch and TV studio, Chris has been a patron of Show Racism the Red Card since 1997, using his profile to challenge racism in football and society.
He has supported anti-racism education, particularly through workshops in schools and stadiums and was inducted into Show Racism the Red Card’s Hall of Fame in 2004.
Chris is a national ambassador for cancer charity, Marie Curie, inspired by the care his mother, Irene, received from the organisation’s nurses during her battle with terminal breast cancer in 2003. His fundraising efforts for the charity have included climbing Mount Kilimanjaro and delivering a petition to Downing Street advocating for early pension access for terminally ill people. Chris is patron for other charities including Prostate Cancer UK and Sunflowers Children’s Action Group.
He was awarded an MBE for services to football, anti-racism and charity in King Charles III’s New Year’s Honours List 2023.
‘Nothing is given to you in the world’
Chris had this advice for fellow graduates: “Working hard, in whatever job or subject you are studying, will eventually pay dividends. Nothing is given to you in the world. You just never know what’s around the corner for you.”
A link to the University of Bradford’s YouTube featuring video footage from Chris Kamara’s graduation ceremony: