As a boy my sports heroes were Joe Montana, Mark Spitz, Bruce Jenner, Jack Nicklaus, Dorothy Hamil and Olga Korbut. To me these folks did amazing things and I was in awe of them. All of these athletes performed at what I call a superhuman level.
While those folks are still heroes, I can add people like Tiger Woods, Deena Kastor, Dean Karnazes, Ryan Hall, Tom Brady, Joan Benoit Samuelson, and many more. I have to admit though these days I am a bit leery of having sports heroes. Why? Because I am not sure if it is the athlete performing the superhuman feat, or is it the drugs they are on?
I want to be in so much awe of Lance Armstrong, but there are too many whispers. I want to be so impressed by Michael Phelps, but I worry that his Olmypic success might be tainted. Marion Jones and Floyd Landis have already disappointed me, so I am hesitant to find new sports heroes.
We need sports heroes though. We need to feel that rush of excitement as a runner speeds down the track to a new world record. We need to cheer as our quarterback throws that winning pass into the end zone. We need to thrill as a talented basketball player leaps into the air to dunk the ball.
I agree with Charles Barkley, sports stars should not be role models. However, they should be mindful of more than the all mighty buck in their obscene quest using steroids or other illegal drugs.
My feeling is either crack down hard on all users, or allow the drugs to everyone. Why anyone would want to do that to their body is a mystery to me.
I want my heroes to be real though.
Charlie
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