Torres Tackles: Heroes in sports

I’ve long contested the idea that you can look at sports figures if you’re searching for a hero.

There are just too many unknowns in this world that would allow me to fully trust a man or woman that I do not personally know.

But when the sports world gets out of its box and tackles social issues, I pay attention. Because it’s more impressive for someone to speak out than it is any physical achievement in their sport, which they get paid to do.

So when I continue seeing people bash Caitlyn Jenner, formerly Bruce Jenner, and ignore the words she spoke, it kind of irritates me. People like to bring up the word courage and how there’s no way Jenner should be called courageous.

That’s kind of showing how courageous she truly is. Coming out and showing her transformation, talking about transgender issues without fear while knowing that many will come at her the wrong way is, by definition, courageous.

When you call her an “it” or a “whatyoumacallit” (looking at you Jim Cunningham with your really stupid commentary on Caitlyn Jenner), that just proves how courageous she really is.

Cunningham will never face the national scrutiny Jenner has had, for obvious reasons such as he’s simply not as famous as Jenner. But taking that away, saying ignorant things like this still doesn’t get the rightful backlash it should because the general public believes that what Jenner did shouldn’t be deemed courageous or heroic.

But what really is a hero? How can one person go from ordinary human being to hero? Is it saving a life? Two lives? 100 lives?

What’s that magic number?

In Jenner’s acceptance speech for the Arthur Ashe Courage Award, she referenced the number of trans people who face bullying, violence, murder and suicide. According to recent surveys, 4.6 percent of the overall United States population has self-reported a suicide attempt with about 20 percent of all lesbian, gay or bisexual. As for trans or gender non-conforming people, the rate is at an alarming 41 percent.

If Jenner’s speech or her simply coming out saves one person from attempting suicide, would that be considered heroic? What about two people? What about 100?

Naysayers may point at Jenner’s reality show and consider all of this a publicity stunt. Regardless of her intentions, showing light to this national crisis is still important.

Lance Armstrong was defended vigorously after allegations came out about his cheating in the sport because of his ties to cancer research. When details came out on how much of a terrible human being Armstrong was, his “honor” was still defended because of that yellow wristband.

Why is it easier to defend Armstrong over Jenner? Simply put, people do not understand transgender issues. As elementary as it may sound, a lot of folks deem it “icky” and gross. Grow up.

I want to be clear in saying that Jenner isn’t my hero, because I don’t need her to be my hero. I remember in grade school when a teacher would ask us who our hero is, my response was my dad. The sacrifices he made to support our family by enlisting in the Army are all too real.

But he doesn’t have to be your hero. Has he done anything directly for you? Probably not. That doesn’t make him any less heroic does it?

Jenner’s words aren’t necessarily for me. I am not transgender. I am not suicidal. But her words are for somebody. And if that somebody has the courage to speak up, be heard and seek help then Jenner’s words are worth something.

Where have all the heroes gone? I don’t know about your heroes, but mine are still intact. And if you have your own personal hero that no one else can claim, who’s to say that person is any less heroic than the next?