Sports Heroes In America: Where Have They Gone?

PRLog (Press Release) - Oct 04, 2007 -
If one was to examine some of today’s biggest sports stars it would be difficult to justify the hero status our society has afforded them. It begs an interesting question; does our selection of heroes in contemporary America reflect the moral decay of our culture or has the 24 hour news cycle and the addition of more outlets for distribution of information and the growth of importance of television in American life tarnished the Institution of Hero?

American athletes have enjoyed the cult of hero and all of the splendors it brings in the richest nation in the world. Today some of our most popular and successful athletes have gambled, had numerous children out of wedlock and cheated by taking performance enhancing drugs, just to name a few transgressions. These traits years ago were sure to ruin the hero status of even the greatest of men. Having said that, 50 years ago these were taboo subject to examine in the press. It was a gentlemen’s agreement between the athlete, the owners and the press, albeit for selfish reasons for all of the ‘responsible’ parties. So what has changed and how does that affect our culture?

The traits we as a society admire haven’t appeared to change all that much. We still appear to admire people who for some reason who standout. In years past, we seemed to be drawn towards individuals who inspire. Most especially if the person concerned was of a usual or below usual social status, an underdog, who overcame many of the same obstacles we as people face on a daily basis. These individuals have achieved some spectacular demonstration of talent or achievement many times before our very eyes.  In response to that we receive them immediately with sentimentality that recognizing the achievement as being special, that is almost a spontaneous reaction to our feeling inspired. At this point this is where we seem to feel compelled to create “tall tales”. Our imaginations create an interpretation that begins to take on biblical proportions. And that within itself creates the process of hero.

At Artletics (http://www.artletics.com/index.php) they believe in the power of inspiration, especially as it applies to today’s youth. In today’s shock-driven media culture Artletics’ approach to providing inspiration to kids and people in general is to continue telling the stories through imagery of athletes and their remarkable achievements, all the while realizing that we all are too human, even our heroes. Artletics focuses primarily on athletes from the Golden Age of American Sports, like Babe Ruth, Red Grange and Gordie Howe, but recently has introduced a Modern Day Legends line that includes such contemporaries like Alex Rodriguez, Jerome Bettis and Mario Lemieux. “We sell from a biographical approach” says Managing Partner and Director Joseph Cioffi, “we feel it necessary to let, in particular kids, know the inspiring stories of these American icons, by providing them with original and rare imagery to serve as a reminder that if Mickey Mantle can come from a mining town in Oklahoma to the largest stage in the world to achieve, so can they.” Cioffi goes on to illustrate that their stories are no less inspiring than they were 50 years ago, they simply are not being told, mostly he feels because of what inspires the media these days, “It is more about selling soap, than about providing inspiration and service to people,” and now a days he says,” What sells soap are things that are considered abnormal or shocking.”  Cioffi has varying opinions on just why that is, but he says the elaboration would be quite heavy to enter into that debate. He believes that people will embrace good and positive things if just given the option. He just maybe right, Artletics is entering into it’s forth year in business and continues to grow at a moderate rate. In those four years they have formed reliable partnerships with such service providers as The Frame Depo, who provides Artletics with a visual interface on the site to offer a full-service online Frameshop where you can frame your favorite print. They are entering into the charity auction business by providing Global Golf Products with their unique imagery to create consistent returns for various events and charities throughout the country. Artletics has recently started advertising with WEAE- ESPN Pittsburgh for give-a-ways and promotions. Last but not least, Artletics is currently finalizing deals that will help provide original imagery to their customers for a long time by signing established artist in both photography and fine art.

Cioffi summed up Artletics approach to this unique niche market in this way. ‘We have a piece that was done by sports artist Isaac Cropp of Satchel Paige entitled, ‘Dance Like Nobody’s Watching’, Paige didn’t have the opportunity to begin his Major League career until he was 42 years old, due to the color line that existed in baseball at that time even though he was most likely one of the most talented pitchers in the country. If anyone had a reason to be bitter and gripe it was Paige. However, Paige known for his wit and his deep thinking had a quote that simply summed up what made America the country it was, “Work like you don’t need the money, Love like you have never been hurt. Dance like nobody’s watching.” Even in the face of such blatant racism, Paige persevered, refused to become bitter or jaded, and in the end he won his right to achieve. If that isn’t inspiring I don’t know what is.”

Artletics believes that if these stories and images aren’t preserved they will be most likely lost forever. Not if Cioffi and his group of talented people have to say anything about it.

If you would like more information about Artletics or this topic, or to schedule an interview with Joseph Cioffi, please call 321-206-9454 or email Artletics at submissions@artletics.com