Heroes exist in many forms in our society. They can be peers, mentors, family members. They can be persons fictitious, they can be persons of celebrity. Regardless of their origin, they mold our both our youth and our aged, creating bonds in society.
When a hero falls from grace, it is a shock to the system. More often than not it is a person of celebrity that becomes vilified. Are they unable to deal with the fame that accompanies their station or is it simply that their true colors finally show in one event that turns them into a perceived monster? Too often that is the final outcome. Years of positive accomplishments washed away by a single act.
To answer this riddle, a conundrum of great magnitude, one must ask themselves: “How should one feel when their hero descends into infamy?” Should you feel sadness, pity? Anger? Should that person be judged on the accomplishments that made him great? Should his tragedy assume a “be all end all” of that person’s life?
The late Chris Benoit was one of my heroes. I have grown with this man the past 15 or so years. I’ve seen him weekly walk into a wrestling ring and perform, I have seen his triumphs and have witnessed his failures. I’ve thought of his well being when he has been injured. He has been a motivation in my life to overcome adversity and to succeed at any cost. Now he is gone and has left behind a media feeding frenzy from which he cannot defend himself.
He left no note indicating why he performed heinous acts on his family whom he loved. We are left with speculation, wondering what caused a man who was such a great role model to not only his fans but also to his peers in the wrestling business, to plunge into darkness.
I say a hero should be remembered for his accomplishments and for who he was, not who he ended as. Feel sadness, for him and for those he took with him. Pity and draw close to your heart the survivors, those who they knew closely, as this will haunt them much longer than us. Hold your anger, as it will not heal the Spirit of it all, it will only tear deeper into the Soul until it destroys the foundation and we will lose forever all our heroes.
Chris had been a favorite of mine since his arrival in WCW. He always worked hard in the ring. You could see it in everything he did there. He sold every shot, given and received. He set a standard that few ever met and on a weekend he was slated to become a World Champion again, the ride was over.
I really don't know how to say what I am feeling about this all. All I can say is that its is a horrible thing to happen...to anyone. I wish I could have talked to him......I know the people he worked with, those that called him friend, those that gave tear filled farewells at his career retrospective wish they could have too. They all feel like they failed him in some way. Now they are just numb and trying to figure it all out. I hope it makes them a little more aware of those around them. I hope there isn't ever a 'next time'.
