Athletes may be the most inspirational people we have on this planet. The motto they live by is anyone can do anything as long as they have the heart, dedication and work ethic to get it done. I wont be too specific, but many teams in sports have beat the odds for major upsets that generations will never forget. Even, athletes go on a struggling journey to achieve success by ignoring the media and the outside talk's bs about how they can't play because they aren't fast enough, quick enough, smart enough, tall enough or athletic enough. Anyone can play sports, period! Athletes like allen iverson, dustin pedroia, roberto clemente, jackie robinson, jon lester are among the many players I respect for their dedications and contributions to their sports considering they have fought overwhelming odds just to get a chance a play. Obviously, changed sports forever by being the 1st black player to play in MLB. Roberto Clemente did so much outside of baseball that people remember him more for being a good person rather then his hall of fame career. Jon Lester, a baseball pitcher for the red sox battled cancer to lead the red sox to another postseason and he even threw a no-hitter. Allen Iverson has battled with the media about his size, but it so happens is that he is one of teh most profilic shooters in the NBA despite his height. Dustin pedroia has battled with his size also ever since high school. He actually won the al mvp today for his great stats on defensive and offense. He is a true leader on the red sox and it showed with the red sox clinching an alcs berth against the tampa rays.
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Everyting negative - pressure, challenges - is all an opportunity for me to rise.
Kobe Bryant
When I was coming up, I just wanted to play baseball and I'm doing what I love to do most. How can I feel pressure doing what I love to do?
Miguel Cabrera
My thing is trying to convince them they can win.
Dick Butkus
I am a winner each and every time I go into the ring.
George Foreman
I don't feel I'm a step above anyone on this team. I'm just another link in the chain.
Jeff Gordon
Scientist can be athletes too. which means scientist have to work through difficult obstacles and challenges like athletes
Athletes can be inspirational, and they can have great affects on their society (I recently posted a blog about a book on the subject)
But personally I can think of many others who would deserve the title of "hero"
"How can we win where fools can be kings" Muse
Athletes are over paid, modern sports associations like the nba, nfl, mla, etc., have turned into nothing but franchises.
What do they do for people besides entertainment, and the occasional do gooder?
Why aren't the true heros, people that work countless hours and days to help support their community?
True heros are not recognized they are unsung, and unrecognized.
Athletes may be dedicated and work hard, but isn't that what they are payed to do?
real heroes to me are activists. People who are passionate about a cause and wish to change their society.
Or real heroes could be firemen and police officers who risk their lives
Or journalist who report unconvienient facts
Or teachers who spend hours on end volunteering to help thier students
Or any number of other groups I can think of. Yes, there are some heroes I can think of in sports-Jakie Robinson or the Japanese Americans who organized baseball teams for those held in WWII internment camps- but for the most parts, I would not consider athletes the "real" heroes.
"How can we win where fools can be kings" Muse
Or Wilma Rudolph or Jessie Owens! (Just wanted to add some track people to your list).
"Never go with a hippy to a second location."
~Jack Donaghy
http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/ediblewoman
I guess I had a bit of a pro-baseball bias in my list of heroic sports figures. thanks for offering some counterbalance.
Another interesting one to add to the list: Adolph Kiefer. He was on the Olympic swimer team with Owens. When WWII started, he began work changing the Navy's training policies. His new ideas saved countless lives. Kiefer went on to make a killing in the private sector.
But that's not the point. All of these sports heroes are heroes not only for their ability, but for what they did with it. Kiefer helped save lives, Owens and Robinson broke color bariers, the Japanese players I wrote about earlier helped improve life for their fellow prisoners. They aren't heroes for being athletes, they are heroes for what they did beyond the sports field.
"How can we win where fools can be kings" Muse
He kicked Aryan ass at the Berlin Olympics, with Hitler in attendance.
"Never go with a hippy to a second location."
~Jack Donaghy
http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/ediblewoman
seen the look on the monster's face as a member of the "inferior" race beat his Aryans. Actually, the swimer who I mentioned said in an interview that Hitler had refered to him as a "true Aryan" and at the time he had no idea what the term meant. Later, he considered it to be one of the worst insults he had ever recieved.
"How can we win where fools can be kings" Muse
Athletes may be dedicated and work hard, but isn't that what they are payed to do?
Am I a hero just because I work hard and am dedicated in everything I do? No, you don't even know who I am. Athletes are usually talented and highly publicised, that's all. Sure, some may be nice people, but if it wasn't for that camera, you wouldn't know who they are.
Heros are people who sacrifice their lives for the lives of others.
Heros are people who are selfless and demonstrate characteristics you wish to see in yourself.
Heros are single mothers who never had a chance but made a wonderful life for themselves (and their child).
Heros are people who do what the world is telling them that they can't do.
Heros are real people who you come into contact with everyday, not the people you see on TV