Heroes

Heroes. These are the ones we look up to, watch with admiration, the ones we aspire to be. Sports is no different. I remember first picking up a baseball bat in little league. My coaches sought to teach me sound fundamentals in order to hit the ball properly; I just wanted to look like Derek Jeter. What child didn’t emulate their favorite baseball player in little league? Or countdown as they shot a turn around jumper followed with a “AND THE CROWD GOES WILD” scream as the ball swished through the net? Our heroes seem to come through with superhero like feats, and their blend of unbridled athleticism and skill drew us in.

Having recently turned 24, I wonder if there are any more heroes in the world of sports. I watch the “My Wish” segments on ESPN and the Yankees’ “Hope Week” and while I think its admirable and love what they’re doing, I often wonder if this is forced on the players, or if they look for opportunities to serve? I tend to be skeptical with these things. After reading about A-Rod’s romantic escapades in the paper, Pacman Jones….being Pacman Jones, Michael Vick, and a slew of others, its hard to look up to most in the world of professional sports. For example, look at the recent death of Steve McNair. A respected leader in the community of pillar of the Tennessee Titans, he was always seen as a role model. Unfortunately, his death may have tarnished his legacy. Killed by a woman he was having affair with, whom he met when she was a waitress at a restaurant where he was eating……with his wife and children. I’m not trying to take away from anything the man did, but just repeating all the media coverage I saw such as panel discussions on ESPN 2 which debated whether or not they should even talk about the indiscretion out of respect to his family. Each person that commented on this situation seemed genuinely shocked, while they would expect this from most athletes they cover, they never would have suspected it of Steve McNair.

To be quiet honest, it sucked seeing one of the “good guys” go out like that. If he could not be looked up to, then who could? I found some encouragement watching a story on Albert Pujols. Pujols is having an incredible year for the Cardinals. Peter Gammons recently commented that he could be the best hitter we’ve ever seen by the end of his career. Pujols does missionary work in the off-season and is active in the community. When recently asked about steroids he said, “Why would I ruin my relationship with the Lord by using steroids?” He has also said that he refuses to enter an elevator with a woman alone, just to avoid the appearance of evil. I heard all this and while I was encouraged, I also thought, “what if he screws up?” As I thought this, I had a bit of an epiphany. A guy like Albert Pujols is one we should look up to, not because of the incredible rap sheet of things he does, but rather, because his actions show us that men are not worthy to be worshiped. Any public figure we look up to is prone to fail us, simply out of their human nature. While many of the headlines we see about those in the public square include crime, infidelity, and poor morality; Albert does things that cause us to look beyond the man.

So admire your favorite players on the field. Cheer for them as they take on their rivals, but remember that they are human beings and not objects of worship.