Option 2:

I think that the ultimate summit of the athlete-as-hero perception is being the total package, including being a hero in the community. You think about guys like Patrice Bergeron in the NHL who made heroic plays on the ice, overcame injuries and adversity to be there in the big moments for his teammates, exemplified leadership and sportsmanship, as well as being a well-spoken ambassador of the game off the ice and active in the betterment of his community – that’s what I think of when I think of a sports hero – the total package. We have a hero in Philadelphia too. His name is BASE PACK. Not only has he led a tremendous career as a member of the Forge, putting up huge numbers and winning a cup in S69, but he exemplifies leadership in the locker room by lifting everyone up in our times of struggle, and lightening up even the heaviest of situations (usually with self-deprecating humor.) Beyond that, his work off the ice rescuing homeless gerbils across southeastern Pennsylvania is nothing short of inspiring. Being able to give these little critters a new lease on life at his massive gerbil rescue is something that serves as an example to us all of the positive impact we can have on our community. Every year he hosts a fundraising dinner for all the most prominent Philadelphians, which Marek was able to attend for the first time this past year. This is how he keeps the rescue operating, even donating any fundraising overages to other local charities. Marek’s favorite part of the event was this savory stew that was served – he’d never had anything like it. One of these days, Marek will have to ask BASE just how it was made.