Athletes are not heroes. Not even close.
Athletes are not heroes. Not even close.NBC15 Blog Listing
Athletes are not heroes. Not even close.
Topic Author: Christine Bellport
Posted: 5:19 PM Aug 13, 2008
Replies Posted: 38 comments
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Hello,

Something I said this morning on air really upset me.  I was very disappointed in myself.  I read a script that called two athletes heroes!  I did not mean to say that because they are not.  I think they possess heroic qualities of commitment and determination and can inspire us to greater things in ourselves, but they are not heroes themselves.  

When I anchored in San Diego, Dale Earnhardt was tragically killed on the track.  My co-anchor kept calling him a hero.  While it was terribly sad that he died, he is not a hero.  Later that year, it was 9-11.   Americans (whether we knew it or not) started thinking more before calling someone a hero.  We reserved it for people like firefighters and our men and women in the military. 

I was watching the Olympics where athletes from Russia and Georgia hugged on the podium.  Again, while I was touched by that, they are not heroes.    

Do you believe tossing a football or swimming laps in a pool measure up to running into a burning building or into a war zone?

Thank you for visiting.

Christine

 

 

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  • by Hannah Location: Rock Island, IL on Apr 18, 2010 at 07:41 PM
    thank you for this post. I am doing an essay for my advanced 9th grade english class, topic: should athletes be considered heroes? I was debating on what i should be. But, then when i saw this post and a news article titled "Athletes are not heroes" from The Walton Tribune. I have finaaly decided that they are nto heroes. the people that are heroes that actuaally teach you life lessons and effect your life, Yes, myabe hwen your favorite baseball player becomes MVP you'll he's my hero but really how is he a hero. He's just playing a bigger version of your little league baseball. You can do the samething in your league. there is nothing heroicly special about that MVP. so, those are my thoughts on the topic. Thanks So Much, Hannah Age, 15
  • by Jessica on Apr 16, 2010 at 09:11 PM
    i dont think all athlets should be considered heros, they can be heroes by makig a difference for people besides themselves and their team. to me being an anthlete has nothing to do in the qualities we should look for in people we like to call heroes.
  • by Tom Location: Toronto Canada on Mar 3, 2010 at 10:52 AM
    Christine, I too am bothered with calling athletes heroes.Here in Canada, after the Olympics, the pathetic gushing by the news media calling the athletes heroes is sickening. There are much more deserving people who deserve the hero mark. You named some of them. There needs to be education on the true meaning of the word hero. Thak You
  • by oak Location: none on Mar 3, 2010 at 09:01 AM
    you are so right athletes are not heros
  • by Elizabeth Location: Bronx on Jan 27, 2010 at 02:23 PM
    i agree
  • by chris Location: tampa on Sep 6, 2009 at 01:26 PM
    jackie robinson was a hero but not because he's an athlete. rachel, it's sad that you're insulted that we don't think you're a hero simply because you play a game. Ad what about all the negative impact the sports "heroes" have had on kids: drugs, illegal gambling, adultery, etc. hero - someone who commits a selfless act, above what the average person would do. Period.
  • by Anonymous on May 12, 2009 at 08:15 PM
    As a career firefighter I don't consider myself a hero. I just do what I been trained to do using the gear designed to protect me. When I think of a hero the one person that always comes to mind is the gentleman that jumped into the frozen Potomac River to save the lady who was blinded by jet fuel after the 737 Air Florida flight 90 crash of 1982. He didn’t have cold water gear, floatation devices or as far as I know any water rescue training. He was just a man who saw somebody in danger and without regard for himself acted and saved a life. That is how HERO should be defined.
  • by SRG Location: Madison on Mar 27, 2009 at 12:48 PM
    I think heros should not now or ever be considered heros, unless they actually run into a burning building. As for anyone listing the Brett Favre is a hero, let it go and grow up, he's just as bad as Micheal Vick and a boat full of Vikings.
  • by Rachel Location: CA on Mar 25, 2009 at 09:58 AM
    I would have to say I disagree with you on this. Being an athlete my entire life has shown me a different perspective of heroes. The definition of a hero is "a man of distinguished courage or ability, admired for his brave deeds and noble qualities." Now while I certainly agree that the media over-uses this word, it is very wrong to say that athletes in general are not heroes. What about the impact they have on young children? They have responsibilites to make a good impression for kids. Many athletes today fail that, but there are still so many good athletes out there that have qualities of commitment and determination. Athletes inspire people everyday, they have physical abilities that everyday people do not. Is that not what a hero does? I am very insulted to be honest that you claim they are not heroes. There are many different kinds of heroes, you cannot say on any level that if you save lives or fight wars that makes you a hero only. You could not be more wrong.
  • by joey Location: huttonside cliff hearn on Feb 8, 2009 at 10:29 AM
    Christine....wth? wat bout jackie robinson, or Terry Fox? , Jesse owens they ARE heroes
  • by Gagandeep on Feb 3, 2009 at 12:46 PM
    I agree with Christine athletes are not even close to being heroes.
  • by ekamjot on Feb 3, 2009 at 12:43 PM
    I agree with you!
  • by lacie Location: nm on Nov 19, 2008 at 10:40 AM
    we are doing a debate in class asking if athletes are heroes. We are cons. What do you have to say? Please e-mail soon at lacienewlon@yahoo.com
  • by Kristin Location: Madison on Oct 31, 2008 at 10:06 AM
    What about Jackie Robinson?
  • by Gary Location: Beloit on Oct 21, 2008 at 06:29 AM
    The GM shutdown is a bad thing for all involved as well as the communities. Being involved in a similar situation, it's eye opener. We have not heard of the employee compensation for this happening!! Talking to a GM employee, after the closure they get their unemployement, THEN when that runs out they will get 2 years of their salary based on 40 hours. They get this on top of any other job they may have obtained. I think this is a pretty good kick start for them. It is still too bad this happened!
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