There is a difference between a “star” and a hero. Titan QB Vince Young said at the funeral for Steve McNair that the former Titan QB was a hero to him. Vince, McNair was no hero.

Let me tell you about a real hero. Capt. William C. Smith was on Omaha Red beech 2 hours before the invasion of the Allies on D-Day. He won a Bronze Star with V for valor. He called fire from the battle ships and destroyers against the impenetrable Hitler defenses. For two hours it was just him and around 150,000 well armed and really irritated Germans. I know that fact because he is my father. Vince, THAT is a hero.

The men and women that risk their lives every hour of every day fighting terrorism are heroes and should be acknowledged as such. They all volunteered to go to war to fight so that we could have the freedoms we enjoy. They are real heroes.

The Police and Fire fighters that risk their lives every day to protect all of us are heroes. My brother in law Bill Balentyne has saved a half a dozen people’s lives as an EMT medic. He is a hero.

We all to often attribute the word hero to our sports stars. But that word should never be used about a player. It should be reserved for those that have really earned it. We can enjoy and honor our sports stars but let’s never forget that we have real heroes to honor with the word.

That’s what I think. Tell me what you think.

Bill Smith is a former coach of several semi-pro teams, has officiated both football and basketball, done color on radio for college football and basketball and has scouted talent. He is a senior writer for http://NFLDraftDog.com and edits http://fryingpansports.com. He has also published several novels on http://www.eBooks-Library/Contemporary/Author.cfm?AuthorID=1003 and edits http://fryingpanpolitics.blog.com.

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Of all the athletes that would meet with a violent end, Steve McNair was the most unlikely. He was 2005 NFL Man of the Year, a respected family man and one of the most beloved players ever to have had a pro career. Even so, he met with a violent and premature death. We all morn the loss of McNair.

At this point, it is not totally clear exactly what happened. But it should raise a red flag to every athlete and every parent of an athlete. The lesson is this—your friends can be more dangerous than your enemies. They are closer to you more often than your enemies and will use your feelings for them to take advantage of you.

Every year the NFL holds a symposium for the drafted rookie players. Both current and retired players tell the newbies about the dangers that face all professional athletes. Some friends just want tickets—OK probably a lot of tickets to games. But other friends will tell athletes that they should never forget where they came from.

Part of remembering where they came from is the habits that their friends have. Those habits may have cost Pacman Jones and Donte Stallworth their careers. It was a cousin of Mike Vick that put him behind bars for 2 years and probably cost him his career.

Most young men have no fear. They never consider the dangers to which their friends subject them. Athletes have even a bigger ego and feeling of indestructibility. From the time of little league, they have been told they are special. They collect hangers on that want to stand in the light that is reflected off of a star athlete. They also want a chance at the money that he can earn.

If you are the parent of a young athlete use the tragedy of Steve McNair to explain the dangers of friends. The future you save will be that of your son or daughter.

That’s what I think. Tell me what you think.

Bill Smith is a former coach of several semi-pro teams, has officiated both football and basketball, done color on radio for college football and basketball and has scouted talent. He is a senior writer for http://NFLDraftDog.com and edits http://fryingpansports.com. He has also published several novels on http://www.eBooks-Library/Contemporary/Author.cfm?AuthorID=1003 and edits http://fryingpanpolitics.blog.com.

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