Concerning the term hero I agree with fevlad. I have a couple of reasons for saying this.
The first is that I am proud of being born and bred in Featherstone and I recall that when I watched the rugby players I was aware that they could do something that I wasn't able to do and that they did it with a certain strength of feeling. They also in some manner that I cannot really describe, but meant a lot to me, represented me. They also occasionally won and this meant a lot, in a sense their winning made me a winner. For me they are hero's because of this and because of their personal achievements. i personally have achieved little .
The second reason I agree with fevlad is because his understanding of the word hero is very close to the original greek meaning. In summary a hero is a man distinguished by exceptional courage and nobility and strength; (The courage and strength are there in the Featherstone rugby players without argument even if we have to debate about the nobility); a hero is also distinguished by being a principle character in any social event whether this be a war or a battle (and what is a rugby match if not a battle?) or a play or a political forum A hero is evidenced by feats of great personal strength and endeavour. Enough said I think.
words change their meaning time and time again with usage.
Stanley mathews was horrified when somebody described him as a hero.
I find it difficult to put people who play sport in the same category as firefighters, paramedics, people risking their lives in Afghanistan and so on.