It's a big weekend in the Quinn household. Super Bowl LII, NFL Honors and the release of my Men of Honor box set. (And by the way there are women of honor here, too!)
Growing up in DC as my daddy's tomboy, I went to many a Redskins or University of Maryland game. Football is in my blood. Now that I'm in Louisiana, my team is the Saints... but I've been thinking naturally about what a hero is lately.
Surrounded by so many veterans and law enforcement professionals, I've seen the values shared by these men and women - integrity, commitment, duty to country, community...and family - our larger global family.
One of the things I love to watch is the Man of the Year awards during the NFL Honors, which is on tonight on NBC, 7PM EST. It's of course cool to watch all the celebrities show up on the red carpet as well. Last year Hugh Jackman brought his hunky self along with Mark Walberg and so many others.
My idea of a real hero is someone like any of the men up for
Man of the Year through their foundations and work in the community, none of
them for their own personal glory or enrichment.
One of my favorite heroes:
Benjamin Watson, an ex-Saint with his organization One More
partnered with the International Justice Mission (IJM), the world's
largest international anti-slavery organization working to combat human
trafficking, modern day slavery and other forms of violence against the poor,
the Watsons joined the global fight to end the scourge of sex trafficking. This
effort was highlighted in April during a three-day trip to Lebanon, where
Benjamin witnessed firsthand the Middle East's refugee crisis. Additionally, he
and his wife, Kirsten, traveled to the Dominican Republic in June to begin
formulating plans that combat sex trafficking.
What I love about Benjamin, in these days of people using the Flag demonstrations to be down on the NFL, is that he uses his platform to create dialog between all groups and individuals he speaks too - to bridge the divides.
J.J. Watt, the popular Houston Oiler and former Offensive
player of the year who started a fundraiser in Houston after Hurricane Harvey
hoping to raise $200,000. He raised $33 million!! All this when the team had
suffered depressing losses, his own and their super QB's season ending
injuries. It raised the spirits of the Houston people, and once again his
motivation wasn't seen as heroic by him, just something he was moved to do for
his community.
All of these Man of the Year nominees are deserving of the title hero and yet none would call themselves that. Isn't that the definition of heroic? Someone who puts others before their own needs.
In researching my Men of Honor books I'm constantly confronted with this mentality by our military personnel, past and present as well as my local law enforcement. They not only don't want thanks or glory, they resist it.
Some of the most courageous heroes this year are women. Do you know of heroes in your own sphere? They are everywhere. Let's give them some love.
My books are available on all stores. You can purchase Men of Honor here.
