In chapter nine Rader discusses about the age of sport heroes. It talks about such great athletes like "The Sultan of Swat" George "Babe" Herman Ruth one of the greatest baseball players to hit the diamond in my opinion. The "Galloping Ghost of the Gridiron" Red Grange, and the prizefighting champion Jack Johnson. Although all of these athletes are hero's to me, I would have to say that they are not even close to my sport hero.
My sport hero would have to be a man they called "The magnificent" Mario Lexmieux. Mario Lemiex played in the National Hockey League for a total of 17 years for one team and that is the Pittsburgh Penguins. He currently owns the Penguins after buying them after they called for bankruptcy in 1999.
There are many reason why Mario Lemieux is my hero. The first is the way he played the game of hockey. I mean he scored a goal in the NHL on his very first shot of his very first game. There are not very many people who can capture that feat. Along with that he broke many records and won many awards in the National hockey league. Along with being an amazing player on the ice he is an amazing person off the ice. He has done so much for the city of Pittsburgh and has donated a lot of money towards cancer research which brings me into my next point why he is my sport hero.
On January 12, 1993 Mario Lemieux made a very shocking statement to the world. He was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma. Better known as cancer to most people. He underwent tremendous amounts of radiation therapy and fought through this killer disease. On his last day of his treatment he flew to Philadelphia and played...yes I said that HE PLAYED on his last day of radiation and scored a goal, but unfortunately the lost to the Flyers. He then later retired due to back pain but astoundingly came back out of retirement because he missed the game so much. This is why I really look up to him as a hero. He fought cancer, came back retired, then came back AGAIN. HE loves the sports and has so much dedication and passion for the sport of hockey. I think that anyone that is able to do that is a hero in my books and that is why he is the number one sport hero in my heart.
If you have a few minutes check out this video that talks about his career. It's pretty interesting and I'm sure you'll appreciate what he has done with the sport of hockey.
This is a great tribute to "Super Mario" as you referred to him. I was always impressed with him, and even thought about going to Pittsburgh to see him play after he returned. Although I have not followed hockey as much as other sports, I always had the impression that he was a smooth player. This video clip shows how big and strong he was as well. That he was able to come back and play after having chemo for cancer is just remarkable. I have a friend who has been in remission from Hodgkin's Lymphoma for 5 years. I saw what she went through, and it is truly amazing that anyone would try to play a professional sport in the midst of having chemo! I like the way the video talks about Lemieux's flair for the dramatic! I am sorry I never got to see him play!
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