Your Sports Heroes When You Were Young (And Is There Such a Thing as a Sports "Hero" Today?)

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  Apr 06, 2013 7:23 PM GMT

  One of my first sports heroes that I can remember is Mark McGwire. Well, in hindsight, that was a pretty poor choice. Then Lance Armstrong for his dominance of his sport, his triumph over obstacles and his charitable nature. Uhmmmm, yeah....Tiger Woods for breaking barriers......oops. Even Oscar Pistorius more recently......yeah. My sports heroes leave a little bit to be desired. Who were your sports heroes when you were younger? And is it possible to have a professional sports hero today or have they all become over-paid, self-promoting, badly-behaving divas? These days I'm more likely to find inspiration in amateurs like the Texas high school basketball player who passed the ball to a mentally challenged player on the other team so that he could score or the middle school wrestler who allowed himself to be pinned by his opponent with cerebral palsy.

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  Apr 06, 2013 8:13 PM GMT

  Jim Palmer.

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• jo2hotbod
  
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  Apr 06, 2013 8:31 PM GMT

  It seems Derek Jeter stands the test of time

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• carew28
  
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  Apr 06, 2013 10:05 PM GMT

  The only reason I watched the Baltimore Orioles back in the old days was because of Jim Palmer. He spent his whole 20 year baseball career with them. His Jockey underwear commercials were pretty awesome, too. He's still around, he's 67 years old now. I think that once in awhile he does sports commentating for the Baltimore Orioles. He seems to be doing pretty well.
  
  Bruce Jenner was awesome competing in the decathlon in the 1976 Olympics in Montreal. I watched them every night while they were going on that summer. He made a complete fool out of himself after he became a celebrity, though.
  
  Dwight Stones also competed in that Olympics, in the high jump. He had a goofy personality, and was fun to watch, especially when he was psyching himself up, and getting ready to jump. He was favored to win Gold, but he didn't quite live up to expectations, although he did get Bronze. As far as I know, he's doing pretty well now, still doing sports commentating on TV.

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• Timbales
  
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  Apr 06, 2013 10:30 PM GMT

  I didn't really have any.

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  Apr 06, 2013 10:35 PM GMT

  I never had any.
  
  I think there are still sports figures that create a good example for the younger generations, but they aren't the flashy ones you see all over the place. They are the quieter ones who work hard, do the best they can, and stay humble.

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  Apr 07, 2013 3:03 AM GMT

  The 1984 US men's Olympics gymnastics team.

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• MidwesternKid
  
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  Apr 07, 2013 3:06 AM GMT

  May and Walsh from Women's Beach Volleyball.
  
  The trust they have for each other and the dedication they had to stay on top of their game and be the best in the world. I may never be as amazing as them in my life time, but I will dedicate my time to be the best I can be till I can't play anymore.

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  Apr 07, 2013 3:08 AM GMT

  I loved Joe Montana and Michael Jordan! They were the sheite in the early to mid 90's!!!

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  Apr 07, 2013 8:23 AM GMT

  Carl Lewis, Jesse Owens, and Michael Johnson all Track and Field athletes!
  For a time, Michael Phelps. I love the Olympics!

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  Apr 07, 2013 8:44 AM GMT

  Heroes today? That's a matter of being able to relate the athlete on a personal level; while still feel championed by their athletic triumphs! If anyone could take anything seriously anymore that is..
  Miss my last great hero, and feeling I could have one.....

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  Apr 07, 2013 2:40 PM GMT

  Trollileo saidTerrell Owens, Michael Vick, and Orenthal James Simpson.

  
  No love for Pete Rose and Ray Lewis?

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  Apr 07, 2013 2:45 PM GMT

  Ray Lewis. Stand up law abiding man who loves Jesus.
  

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  Apr 07, 2013 2:46 PM GMT

  the 1980 US hockey team, who brought us the "Miracle on Ice", winning the gold against all odds.
  
  

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  Apr 07, 2013 2:52 PM GMT

  Mark Spitz and Bruce Jenner

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  Apr 07, 2013 2:55 PM GMT

  GordHunter saidMark Spitz and Bruce Jenner

  
  I know a lot of people of a certain age who mention Bruce Jenner as a sports hero. I can't get past him being a Kardashian with some unfortunate plastic surgery though.

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  Apr 07, 2013 3:01 PM GMT

  Coach_Mike said

  GordHunter saidMark Spitz and Bruce Jenner

  
  I know a lot of people of a certain age who mention Bruce Jenner as a sports hero. I can't get past him being a Kardashian with some unfortunate plastic surgery though.

  
  
  Yup, I almost didn't mention him just for the horrible visual image he now conjures up .....he was a real looker back in day tho, tres tragic.
  
  

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  Apr 07, 2013 3:08 PM GMT

  GordHunter said

  Coach_Mike said

  GordHunter saidMark Spitz and Bruce Jenner

  
  I know a lot of people of a certain age who mention Bruce Jenner as a sports hero. I can't get past him being a Kardashian with some unfortunate plastic surgery though.

  
  
  Yup, I almost didn't mention him just for the horrible visual image he now conjures up .....he was a real looker back in day tho, tres tragic.
  
  

  
  Oh my God. Why would he want to fix that? I think he has a legitimate law suit on his hands.

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  Apr 07, 2013 3:15 PM GMT

  Greg Louganis, Joe Montana, Carl Lewis, , Magic Johnson, Alberto Salazar, Billy Rogers, and Grete Waitz.
  
  More recent choices include Derek Jeter, and others that haven't been such great choices...Lance Armstrong, Oscar Pistorius (still admire what he's done as an athlete),

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  Apr 07, 2013 3:16 PM GMT

  Bucky Dent, Bjorn Borg, Billy Bean, Dave Kopay

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  Apr 07, 2013 3:25 PM GMT

  Jamie Dwyer of the Kookaburras, the Australian men's field hockey team. He was a speed demon plus I envied his proficiency at the tomahawk and drag flick.
  
  
  
  

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• rnch
  
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  Apr 07, 2013 3:30 PM GMT

  DudeInNOVA saidI never had any.
  
  I think there are still sports figures that create a good example for the younger generations, but they aren't the flashy ones you see all over the place. They are the quieter ones who work hard, do the best they can, and stay humble.

  
  
  
  
  
  Excellent Reply.

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  Apr 07, 2013 3:33 PM GMT

  DudeInNOVA saidI never had any.
  
  I think there are still sports figures that create a good example for the younger generations, but they aren't the flashy ones you see all over the place. They are the quieter ones who work hard, do the best they can, and stay humble.

  
  
  this x 2

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  Apr 07, 2013 3:39 PM GMT

  kristi yamaguchi

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  Apr 07, 2013 4:45 PM GMT

  Coach_Mike said

  GordHunter saidMark Spitz and Bruce Jenner

  
  I know a lot of people of a certain age who mention Bruce Jenner as a sports hero. I can't get past him being a Kardashian with some unfortunate plastic surgery though.

  
  
  And I crushed on Bruce when I was a kid.
  
  I just threw up a bit in the back of my throat.

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