I’ve been giving a lot of thought to heroes lately, more than usual, actually.

In our society, especially, athletic heroes abound. Some assume these roles well, while others shy away from the attention. They wish to only live their lives, play the games they love, and go home.

In Bangor, we were blessed with several larger-than-life sports personalities during the time of my youth.

Former Bangor High School football stars Jimmy Nelson and Leroy Patterson come to mind immediately when I ponder all the games I watched as a young boy.

Both of these gentlemen had stellar athletic careers, and, more importantly, both players always took time to see that the youngsters, hanging on their every word and deed, received a moment or two of their time.

That, dear readers, still represents special times for me.

Today, let’s take a look at six (6) things heroes need to be conscious of in their daily lives.

No. 1 – All the eyes and the ears that are upon them.

From firemen to star high school halfbacks, heroes come in many shapes and sizes. All of them need to be aware of how frequently they are watched, on and off the job.

No. 2 – Keep social activities above board.

When I was a college student, studying in the education department, I was cautioned by numerous professors to enter bars and the like in towns where I didn’t work.

For teachers, coaches, and other heroes, this is sound advice. Those of us in the public eye often underestimate this wisdom.

No. 3 – Take the time to share.

I had many good experiences with star athletes, teachers, and coaches, who took the time to spend a moment with me when I was growing up. These heroes can enhance their own public persona with a kind word or deed. The aforementioned Jim Nelson once gave me a University of Cincinnati sweatshirt while he was home in Bangor on spring break. It was a prized possession that I cherished for many years.

No. 4 – Volunteer your time to speak with kids.

Even high school athletes need to take time from their busy schedules to work with young kids. To the elementary school student, the high school player is comparable to the NFL star. Never take that lightly.

No. 5 – Watch your language when you’re in a public place.

Nothing irks this old coach more than to hear foul language or a dirty joke coming out of a well-known person’s mouth in a public place. As stringent as it may seem, reputations are easy to lose and tough to maintain.

No. 6 – Always be conscious of who you are.

As simple as it may seem, heroes in all shapes and sizes need to be aware of their own roles in society.

People may judge others in your field simply by what they see or hear you do or say.

30-Second Timeout

One of the most emotional parts of this year’s Red Sox season occurred last Wednesday night when ailing Boston pitcher Jon Lester showed up at Fenway for a brief press conference in front of the always-tough local media.

Lester was poised and confident in his approach to cancer treatments, which began two days later at Dana Farber Cancer Institute.

“My,” I’m thinking, “this is one classy kid.”

The youngster gave no specific time frame for a return, but he said he and his family vow to beat this thing.

In the days of whining, overpaid athletes, this was a refreshing episode from a professional baseball player.

Our thoughts and our prayers go out to this fine young man.

BDN columnist Ron Brown, a retired high school basketball coach, can be reached at bdnsports@bangordailynews.net