Man Enough

People will gather at the water cooler today and boast about the greatness of their team. They'll use words like "miraculous" and "dominate". They'll string together superlatives as if they think there's an opening for Madden's job.

Some will talk about fairness and calls and challenges and penalties called and not called.

And that's OK.

It's all part of the social decompression that we need to do. It helps us feel more a part of the contest on the field. Monday Morning Quarterbacking? Call it what you want, but the camaraderie that is built upon the common ground of having witnessed the same event; around analysing its moments, momentum, and miracles, is a positive byproduct of the spectacle of sport.

What I worry will get lost amid the discussions, something that would have been mentioned in every article, commentary and column today had the game but slightly swung the other direction, is a little thing that happened just before kick off: Kurt Warner was awarded the "Walter Payton Man of the Year Award".

Awarded every year since 1970, the NFL's Man of the Year (Walter Payton's name added after his death in 1999, Payton himself winning the award in 1977) honors excellence on and off the field.

In a world where our media is dominated by the foibles of the rich and famous, this award recognizes the charitable community contributions of the recipients (as well as the 31 other nominees) every year.

Wouldn't it be great if every profession had a Humanitarian award?

If after the awards for best picture, actor, actress and director the highest honor was given to the celebrity who had done the most to help those in need?

The "Man of the Year" may not hold for Kurt Warner, or even for the rest of us, the joy of the Lombardi trophy, but I submit to you that, whatever team you follow, we should all be proud of the Cardinal's QB. For having served his community, he's Man Enough.

There are unsung heroes in our individual workplaces as well. On their time off the clock they volunteer as coaches, in homeless shelters, and food banks. They lead scout troops, teach skills and mentor young people. They help us move and move us to tears.

Maybe I'm caught up in the economy of the times, but I'd love to see public recognition of the everyday heroes by the big companies that employ them. They're easy to find. Today they'll be huddled around the water cooler.