What Makes A Hero?

7 Pages 1776 Words

lanation has been personified by Pat Tillman, who in 2001 turned down a $9 million, five-year offer from the St Louis Rams to remain with the Arizona Cardinals out of loyalty, and in May 2002, turned down a three-year, $3.6 million dollar deal to answer his call of duty and enlist in the United States Army. Taps was played for Pat Tillman on 23 April 2003. He had paid the highest price to be called American. According to army officials, upon enlistment, Tillman wanted no special treatment, wanted to special attention, but wanted to be considered just one of the soldiers doing his duty for his country. He is believed to be the first NFL regular to leave the game for military service since World War II. Pat Tillman’s strength of character, sense of duty, and commitment to the greater whole are what set him aside as a man. An accomplished athlete, Pat Tillman is a hero for what he was made of inside, not for his feats on the gridiron.
I offer that very few of today’s celebrity athletes have the potential to raise their status from athlete to hero. Today’s greatest athletes all seem to have character flaws, inhibiting them from achieving such a glorified status. Roger Clemens recently celebrated his 300th win, a milestone achievement very few pitchers have reached. Certainly a skilled hurler, Clemens lacks the moral fortitude I feel necessa...