MIKE PIRTLE, Post Publisher
Posted: Sunday, July 12, 2009 8:02 am

The recent and tragic deaths of icons Michael Jackson and Steve McNair sparked a general debate about how and why we admire certain people, their possible positions as role models and the impact they have on our overall culture.

Certainly both were idolized. And, within their areas of talent earned it.

Jackson without question is the No. 1 entertainer of all time. That is not to say, because I lack the perquisite qualifications, he was more talented than Elvis, Sinatra, Diana Ross, Stevie Wonder and others, but that he was a gigantic talent at a time when media covered the world and allowed him to be a global phenomenon.

He was an incredible dancer, singer and entertainer, and a musical genius.

That is why so many idolized him, knew him and grieved for him as evidenced by the tens of millions who watched his memorial service last week.

While you couldn’t avoid the news and even worse some of the pictures involving Jackson in the past several years, his legacy will be about his music.

Not many kids are likely to want to grow up and create a Neverland or diaper a chimp.

But, many would like to produce music that causes most listeners, even casual ones, to try to Moonwalk.

Perhaps Marc Anthony was wrong. Maybe the bad is interred with their bones and the good lives after them.

I hope that is the case with Steve McNair, apparently a victim of someone with some serious emotional issues.

Like most Titans’ fans, I loved McNair, the pro quarterback because he brought excitement to my life. I still remember the anticipation as the pocket broke down around him and he took a step forward looking to see whether the defense was vulnerable to his arm or his legs.

Even beyond that we loved McNair because he was a warrior, because of all the tremendous games despite hurts and injuries.

Because in doing what he did he gave it all he had to the max.

And, he took responsibility, good and bad. He was confident but humble.

And, he gave back to his community in many ways continually and treated people well.

Did he make some mistakes off the field? Sure. But, honestly, they were mistakes we see around us from friends and maybe family not uncommonly.

It never occurs to me to hero worship sports stars and entertainers, well, most famous people. Maybe Jim Bouton’s “Ball Four” some 30 years ago rubbed that polish off supposed sports heroes and made them great athletes, but regular guys.

The famous folk live in a different world. They just do, and we make it that way.

While we might deplore or cluck-cluck some of their personal decisions, that is much easier to do when we don’t have to face the daily temptations they do.

Not excusing anything, but if power ensnares elected officials regularly, and seemingly TV preachers about 50 percent of the time, how are rock and football stars expected to resist.

We should look to them for what they excel at, not their lives. As Elvis showed us long ago, they are challenged like all the rest of us.

We should avoid judging them but be appreciative of whatever joy or excitement they add to our lives and leave it at that.

With Michael Jackson and most assuredly Steve McNair that should be the case.

•••

When I look for people I would like to be more like, I look around me at people who make a difference with whom I can possibly relate.

Like my friend, Dr. Jim Nunnery who has always been such a great, gentle guy and who in retirement continues to practice medicine to help others.

Like Gloria Christy who found something of great value to this community, Uncle Dave Macon Days, many years ago and has given so selflessly for so long.

Like John Harney, a successful business man who invests himself personally in those things in church and community in which he believes.

And, those are examples that come to mind with just a few moments of reflection.

We have lots of heroes in our midst and would be well served to look to them, not someone on an NFL gridiron or music awards show or even a TV pulpit for inspiration and example.