According to a Wikipedia search, the word hero refers to a person ... who, in the face of danger, combats adversity through impressive feats of ingenuity, bravery or strength, often sacrificing their own personal concerns for a greater good.
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Nowhere in the reference does hero describe a footballer, an athlete, a movie star. Not taking away from these people’s skill and talent, but they can never compare to what a true hero is.
However, there are commentators who continue to incorrectly use the word hero when talking about someone’s skill to mark and kick a leather Sherrin around a football field.
Similar to the word legend, describing someone as a hero should be reserved for those who truly fit the bill … someone like the thousands of brave men and women who were commemorated on Tuesday during the thousands of moving Anzac Day ceremonies around the nation.
For it was these brave people – our soldiers, our nurses, our navy and airforce personnel – who, more than 100 years ago, sacrificed their lives so we could enjoy what many of us take for granted today.
Back then there were no 24-hour news bulletins, there was no internet, there were no modern communications to give them an insight into what they were signing up for.
Without fear or favour they left their families and loved ones behind to fight for their country.
The same can also be said for those who have fought in conflicts since World War I, World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Afghanistan, Iraq and the like.
At which part in our history did the word hero become hijacked and inappropriately used in other contexts, like sport?
Because of this, the moniker has been somewhat watered down.
Those true heroes before us and those still among us – including our dedicated emergency service men and women who put their lives on the line on a daily basis – damn well deserve better.
They deserve the chance to proudly stand up and accept the badge of honour … to be able to truly be named a hero without it being blase or meaningless.
These brave men and women are heroes in every sense of the word … “in the face of danger, they combat adversity through impressive feats of ingenuity, bravery or strength, often sacrificing their own personal concerns for a greater good”.
