The word hero has been stretched so far that it barely means anything anymore.
An athlete makes a great play—hero.
A politician gives a speech—hero.
A celebrity donates money and makes sure a camera is nearby—hero.
No. They may be talented, successful, generous, or even admirable. That does not automatically make them heroes.
I have known heroes.
They were ordinary people who stepped forward when everyone else had a damn good reason to step back. They accepted real risk, made real sacrifices, and helped others without stopping to calculate the applause, endorsements, votes, or social-media attention they might receive.
A person can be an athlete, politician, celebrity, or billionaire and still do something heroic. But the title does not make the person a hero. The action does.
When we call everyone a hero, we cheapen the word for the people who truly earned it.
Admiration is fine. Respect is fine. But save hero for someone who actually did something heroic.
WTF.