Is there such thing as a 'Sporting Hero'?

In response to an interesting thread somewhere, asking for people to identify their sporting heroes.

Yay or Nay? What defines a hero in your eyes?

In response to an interesting thread somewhere, asking for people to identify their sporting heroes.

Yay or Nay? What defines a hero in your eyes?

Any disabled person who competes in sport

To some people yes.

Personally I prefer the term admire but some people do hero worship their idols.

Each to their own, they are not harming anyone.

In response to an interesting thread somewhere, asking for people to identify their sporting heroes.

Yay or Nay? What defines a hero in your eyes?

Any disabled person who competes in sport

Is that not condescending?

I do think that the terms 'hero' and 'legend' are thrown about so frequently that they're slowly beginning to lose their true meaning.

I do think that the terms 'hero' and 'legend' are thrown about so frequently that they're slowly beginning to lose their true meaning.

Legend most certainly but I think 'Hero' is more a turn of phrase.

I think most people of reasonable intelligence recognise that a sporting 'hero' is not yo be confused with someone who does something heroic like saving lives.

I do think that the terms 'hero' and 'legend' are thrown about so frequently that they're slowly beginning to lose their true meaning.

Legend most certainly but I think 'Hero' is more a turn of phrase.

I think most people of reasonable intelligence recognise that a sporting 'hero' is not yo be confused with someone who does something heroic like saving lives.

So you're suggesting that there are varying levels of heroism? I'd agree with that. Personally I dislike the use of 'hero', 'legend' and 'God' in an underserving context such as sport, as I feel it undermines those who are deserving of such an accolade.

In response to an interesting thread somewhere, asking for people to identify their sporting heroes.

Yay or Nay? What defines a hero in your eyes?

Any disabled person who competes in sport

Is that not condescending?

I meant anybody who can overcome a disability.

"Ledge" is the term I hate most.

Even worse in an every day context to describe Joe Bloggs.

"Ledge" is the term I hate most.

Even worse in an every day context to describe Joe Bloggs.

"DAVE YOU LEDGE!" - After David enters room without incident.

Anyone who sacrifices themselves for others?

"Ledge" is the term I hate most.

Even worse in an every day context to describe Joe Bloggs.

"DAVE YOU LEDGE!" - After David enters room without incident.

You got it.

One of the blokes in work has "Ledge" status because of how much he can drink.
"Terrys a ledge. He was drinking treble Jacks"

Painfully cringeworthy watching grown men in awe of these nobodys.

The idolisation of some of them goes too far. However, "icons" or figureheads of the game, such as Maldini, Zidane, Platini, Baresi, Maradona etc, are classed as heroic figures to some. But they are confusing the concepts.