Ben Roethlisberger has been one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL over the last 7 years. He has led the Pittsburgh Steelers to two Super Bowl victories, been selected to the Pro Bowl (2007), and ranks near the top all time among quarterbacks in most statistical categories...and he's only 28 years old He is a great athlete and the hero of a lot of young people.
But "Big Ben," living in the rarified air of fame and fortune, has an off-field side to his life that has gotten him into a lot of trouble. When he's not on the field, he lives a wild life of speed, alcohol and loose women. He seems to think that his status as an athlete justifies his out-of-control lifestyle. He's not alone. Tiger Woods, Michael Vick, and host of others have been caught doing some pretty stupid (and bad) things, thinking they were above the law (not to mention God's laws) because of their superstar status in the world of sports. Yet, America idolizes these men. They become the role models for an entire generation of American kids.
May I suggest an alternative? There are men and women in our church, in our family of missionaries, in our state fellowship, across our country, and throughout our history who have been people of integrity, honesty, godliness, and faithfulness who are worthy of our admiration and should be the heros our kids emulate. Can they throw a tight spiral 60 yards downfield? Probably not, but they can and do honor the Lord with their lives. Now, that's a hero!