When we are reminded to think of hero archetypes the first we often think of is a movie character, or a sports hero. The former does stuff that magically appears heroic, and the latter does heroic-appearing stuff because they are uniquely athletic enough to be put in a position that expects it of them. Neither really are heroes. Websters first defines hero as “a mythological or legendary figure often of divine descent endowed with great strength or ability”. In a human capacity a hero is “an illustrious warrior” or “a man admired for his achievements and noble qualities”. We have to go to that third definition to apply it to someone in every day life, the second only applies to men and women in battle, God bless all of them who fight to preserve our own liberty. I admire athletes, both for the team aspect, and that they perform at a level that is, indeed, admirable when they do well. I don’t think I look at them as heroes. Athletes are larger than life, but not heroic. I rather would point out the guy who has the nerve to stop a car in traffic and help a passer by who has fallen. I would rather label a hero as a dad who risks his job to stay home and cook a kid breakfast.
I have met men of the “greatest generation” who don’t cook because it is “women’s work”. A vacuum is an alien appliance, but a remote control is a natural appendage. Very non-heroic. Real men drive race cars then attend to their injured wife, like Matt Kenseth. Real men play football and teach kids to read at inner city schools. Dale Earnhardt knew that a fellow driver’s wife was expecting a baby, and offered everything from airplanes to ambulances to help aid someone he usually is trying to beat in a race.
Real men take off their shoes and help cook supper, real men play “tea party” with their daughters. Real men listen. Real men raise kids without turning them into serial criminals or idiots. Real men make the bed, take out the garbage, frost cookies with the kids, and change the oil in the tractor, all without sighing or whining the whole time.
Oh, and race drivers are athletes. Do not let anybody tell you different.
