Now that the Super Bowl is over and the obsession with the players and the half time show is no longer front page news, it is time to discuss the definition of a Hero.
According to Dictionary.com, a hero is a person noted for courageous acts or nobility of character.
During the last two weeks, many football players have been called, “heroes”.
People have been mesmerized by what the players do, where the players go, what they think of things.
It is an adulation that is not necessarily healthy, nor sustainable.
These men play a game. They throw a ball, they are athletes, they are not heroes, yet are treated as such.
Is it really proper to idolize the players of a game? The vast wealth that comes from their profession often leads to trouble with the law. In 2015, there were 31 arrests of NFL players for assorted crimes.
Of course, these are a few in comparison to the whole, but none the less, it taints the sport.
Where are the victory parades for the true heroes? How many have thousands have turned out to honor the men and women returning from Afghanistan and Iraq?
A soldier in the United States military or any branch is a true hero.
A true hero puts his or her life on the line for someone else, without regard to their own safety.
When soldiers returned to the United States from Vietnam, the crowds did turn out. Unfortunately, they turned out to protest, throw things and spit on the troops involved in the conflict. There were no ticker tape parades, just a group of protesters spewing misdirected hatred.
Many conflicts and wars have come since, and in no way has the response to the returning heroes been comparable to the enthusiasm that is displayed for the sport of football.
Football is not a religion and the players are not heroes.
In regard to those who do volunteer and give back to the community, it is appreciated, but to whom much is given, much is expected.
An entire month and retail supermarket event is planned around the Super Bowl parties.
How about doing the same on Veteran’s Day? Have a big party and salute those who have served so valiantly to protect the American way of life and liberties.
Think it will catch on? Let’s make it so!
Image: Screen Grab; http://video.foxnews.com/v/5314249085001/?#sp=show-clips
