No Hockey Heroes

This is going to tick a lot of people off, but I’m going to say it anyway: I’m sick of hearing Sidney Crosby referred to as a “hero.”

The straw that broke the camel’s back for me was the sight of a banner that was recently raised at the Halifax Stanfield International Airport, congratulating Sidney Crosby for his part in winning the Stanley Cup. The banner reads: “Congratulations, Sidney! Our Hometown Hero.”

Listen, I get that the guy is an extremely talented athlete. I get that he has worked really hard and achieved his dream, something not a lot of people ever have the skills or opportunity to do. I get that he’s a classy guy, very generous and giving of his time, especially with kids. He really seems to be an authentic and inspiring role model. And I admire and respect him for all those things.

But in my mind, a hero is someone who sacrifices him- or herself for others. Who puts his or her life on the line. Who performs selfless acts for the greater good. And as important as hockey is to many people, it’s not life and death, folks. So unless Sidney Crosby has rushed headlong into a burning building lately and stick-handled some sleepy smoker to safety, his many laudable achievements just don’t add up to “heroism,” in my eyes.

And I would suggest that this is a rule which could be applied to all so-called sports “heroes.”

I can almost feel the indignation directed toward me as I write this, knowing full well that sport in general, and hockey in particular, are sacred subjects to many Haligonians.

But don’t leap to conclusions. I’m not suggesting that being involved in sport doesn’t offer a great deal of social good. At risk of stating the obvious, sport is clearly a good way to learn leadership, confidence, and teamwork. Crosby’s a great example of that. Certainly, the lessons learned through sport have spurred many people on to become productive and involved citizens. My own grandfather was a multi-talented athlete – a baseball player, hockey player, boxer – and a marathoner who ran with Johnny Miles. My uncle was a skilled boxer, who won the Silver Gloves in 1948. Both great men, charitable, engaged and active citizens. Their many sporting achievements are admirable, for sure. But heroic? No.

My gut feeling is that when people start throwing the word “hero” around in reference to someone who’s particularly good at smacking a lump of cold rubber around with a stick, or someone who can run really fast or punch really hard, or who can hit a baseball really far, it just diminishes its impact when we apply it to the people who truly deserve it.

We can all be proud of “Sid the Kid” and his spectacular achievements, and I’m as pleased as anyone else that he’s a local boy who has made good in the big, bad world of professional sport.

But I’ll say it again – he’s not my hero.