Kris Radlinski celebrates victory in the 2002 Challenge Cup Final

The ex-full-back, 31, was recognised in the Queen's Birthday Honours list for his services to rugby league.

"He thoroughly deserves this tremendous honour as he is one of the most highly decorated and best players from the modern era," said Lewis.

"He has an enviable medal collection, having won every domestic trophy."

Radlinski spent his whole playing career at Wigan, making 322 appearances over 13 years before a knee injury forced him to retire last season.

He also won 20 Great Britain and 10 England Caps.

606: DEBATE Many congratulatios to Kris Radlinski - a true ambassador for our game SB

Radlinski follows in a long line of Wigan legends to receive an MBE, including Ellery Hanley, Shaun Edwards, Martin Offiah and, most recently, Andrew Farrell.

"It's very overwhelming," he said. "I'm still in a bit of shock. It's a tremendous honour for myself and my family as well as for Wigan and the game in general, a massive honour.

"When you look at some of the people who have been honoured in the past, people like Faz, Martin Offiah, Ellery and Shaun Edwards, they are all big players in the history of the game.

"I don't know how these things work but somebody must have been impressed with my career." Radlinski joined Wigan as a 17-year-old in 1993 and twice rejected big-money offers to switch codes.

The 12 or 13 years I spent at Wigan was the happiest time of my life and I consider myself very lucky Kris Radlinski

Clive Woodward wanted him alongside Jason Robinson in England's ultimately successful 2003 World Cup bid and the RFU made another failed attempt to secure his services in 2005.

A fearless last line of defence and magnificent under the high ball, Radlinski was famous for his uncanny ability to counter-attack and remains 13th in Wigan's all-time scoring list.

He hung up his boots in March of 2006 after eventually succumbing to a persistent knee injury but, with Wigan struggling to avoid relegation from Super League, he came back and helped them to 10 wins from their last 12 games.

"I had a tremendous career," he said. "The 12 or 13 years I spent at Wigan was the happiest time of my life and I consider myself very lucky. This tops it all off.

"It's probably the ultimate achievement in the game and it's quite difficult to comprehend."

Radlinski won 10 caps for GB

Radlinski, who is currently recovering from knee surgery, hopes to stay involved in the game in some capacity.

"All I'm educated in is rugby league," he said. "There are not many corridors open and it's tough at the moment.

"I don't think coaching is for me. You have to be a certain kind of person to do that, you need a ruthless streak, which is not me. I'm a kind of laid-back character. I'm starting to look at other options."

During his illustrious career, Radlinski helped Wigan win numerous trophies, including the Challenge Cup, the League Title, the Regal Trophy, the Inaugural Super League Grand Final and the Premiership.

In 1995, he became the youngest player to be awarded the Harry Sunderland Trophy as man of the match in the Premiership final.

Radlinski had already achieved legendary status when he showed his bravery and commitment on the eve of the 2002 Challenge Cup final in Edinburgh.

The full-back was on an intravenous drip in a Wigan hospital at the start of the week after picking up a mysterious toe infection.

Not only was he a superb and loyal servant to Wigan, but he also served both Great Britain and England with extreme distinction Richard Lewis RFL's executive chairman

It seemed certain to rule him out of the Murrayfield clash with arch-rivals St Helens but Radlinski created one of the most memorable sights in rugby league when he undertook the traditional eve-of-final walkabout in his carpet slippers.

There was a sense of inevitability once he had the infection lanced by the club doctor and passed himself fit an hour before kick-off the following day.

Radlinski duly went on to play a key role in Wigan's surprise victory and received the Lance Todd Trophy as man of the match, becoming one of the few players to be awarded the gong for his defensive rather than attacking contribution.

"Not only was he a superb and loyal servant to Wigan, but he also served both Great Britain and England with extreme distinction, even playing in the World Cup Final in 1995," added Lewis.