Heroes? I don’t think so.

Nobody said you couldn't enjoy it. The journalists just got carried away in their use of language.

I think they are hero's, they played their hearts out and got through to the semi final, magic, and don't even get me started on Gareth Southgate.

My real hero's are my husband, my dad and Winston Churchill but these young men deserve the title too for their behaviour on and off the field, for not retaliating when the violent Panama team and the equally violent Columbians were at their worse. C'mon lads most of your country are behind you and good luck in the match to decide who gets third position today.

Naturally their country are behind them, it’s what countries do is it not? I have no interest in football and my country isn’t playing but I hope England wins today.

I'm not a follower of football and just see footballers as very overpaid sportsmen. There's certainly nothing at all heroic about them, herosim requires bravery beyond the normal and this is certainly not required in a football match.

Yes, absolutely. There are hobbies that merit world attention and investment and hours of TV - football! Olympics! - and other hobbies (just as passionate to the smaller numbers who do them) which are smiled at tolerantly (knitting! book clubs! metal detecting!) Perhaps the latter are slightly more useful than the former, but each to their own. But no, a world cup footballer is no more a 'hero' than a champion knitter!!

...Anyway, if you're massively paid for a job you adore (as I guess footballers are!), I don't see that you CAN be a hero. Heroes do things out of courage and self-sacifice, not motivated by ££ and celebrity. Although I totally acknowledge their contribution to the sport & entertainment of fans. (I watched the penalties and yes, it was great TV!)

I've hesitated to join this thread, but here goes.
I think the England team have lifted the spirits of the country and they deserve to applauded for their efforts and achievements. That they donate their fees to charity is especially noteworthy and laudable. Meanings of words change with time and usage and so it's no surprise that the use of the word 'hero' is also changing and in a sense that is inevitable.
However, what word do we then use for someone who makes sacrifices on behalf of others, who puts their own safety to one side for the greater good? If kicking a ball around is 'heroic' how can we then use the same word for someone who risks his/her life in a war zone or voluntarily enters a burning building to save others? What we need perhaps is a new word that describes selfless and sacrificial acts.
One of my sons-in-law was killed in Afghanistan, the other was recently awarded the Military Cross for acts of bravery that threatened his life; they are both heroes in the accepted sense. I would guess that selflessness and bravery are the hallmarks of traditional 'heroes', so what are the traits or attributes that denote 'heroism' in the context of football?

I wouldn’t want to find another word to define those who risk/give their lives for others. I think another word to define those who give people pride/enjoyment/excitement is needed.

My sympathies for your family’s loss ga - your sons in law truly represent the word ‘hero’. I come from an RAF background and many of the men (including my father) had seen active service during WW2. I grew up hearing tales of wartime exploits and much talk of the Battle of Britain. Most poignant for me was the photograph of an uncle whom I never met, which sat on my grandmother’s mantelpiece. A red, white and blue striped ribbon surrounded the frame and a new poppy was carefully placed on the corner every Remembrance Day. He was killed at Anzio aged 25. My mother carried on this tradition until she died in 2000-over 50 years of remembrance for the lost. I cannot see these young footballers in the same light; stars, idols, celebrities-yes, but not heroes.

Tennis is the only sport I have any interest in. But I didn't think my favourite Roger Federer was a hero when he lost his quarter final. Nor when he won at Wimbledon last year. I was just pleased then and sad this year.

Katek - you couldn’t be more correct (not sure about the grammar, don’t really care either!)
I have spent the last few matches listening to my DH shouting at the telly and I just don’t get it? Healthy competition yes, heroism NO.

grannyactivist the sacrifice and actions of your loved ones does make them heroes, no one here is disputing that those who die in service of their country or whilst helping others are heroes in the true meaning of the word.
Annie is right - another word could be found for our football and other sports people who lift the spirits of the nation and provide great entertainment.
I'm happy enough with hero as descriptions of both though. I'm sure it's possible to read the description without trying to decide who is most heroic. It's obvious, isn't it.

Sorry but using hero for the war dead and a football team or any sportsperson is not for me, it devalues what I believe to be the true meaning.

I understand your feelings Anniebach.

And I understand your pride in your. team Iam, I experience the same every year when we have The Six Nations . I love Max Boyce’s rugby songs ?

I am glad England was joyful for those weeks, but the media was whipping up hysteria

I don't necessarily think using the same word devalues the true meaning, but it inevitably creates a lack of differentiation that causes some people to quibble at the use of the same word for both.

Language is dynamic; for instance the words wicked, bad and sick all now have positive connotations in some circumstances. I think that, dependent upon the context, people clearly have an understanding about what they mean when using a particular word, but problems arise when there is a lack of consensus regarding meaning.
Personally I don't have a problem with people using the word 'hero' to describe a football player simply because I make the assumption that people can, and do, differentiate between the traditional meaning and a looser, more modern application. The difficulty comes when I have to teach the English language to foreigners and explain that a word can have two diametrically opposed meanings (i.e. wicked), or that some words do not have shared understandings.

grannyactivist, another grand post from you. I know you're busy with all kinds of interesting and positive things but, could you sort of Brexit for us please. You can wear a waistcoat during any negotiations, it seems to help some of keep calm and carry on.

Annie had you visited the city centre where I live you would have realised the media were not responsible for "Whipping up the hysteria" the loyal fans were managing that quite nicely by themselves. During the match everywhere (except inside pubs) was deserted, aftterw a match you couldn't move for the celebrations.

Iam64 your comment made me laugh out loud as one of my lovely homeless men said almost the same thing to me yesterday. I'd helped him with a particularly difficult phone call to the DWP and eventually got them to agree to a particular course of action and my client's response was to suggest I tackle Brexit next. Way beyond my skill set I'm afraid.

Nope, I have every confidence you could get the best outcome for the majority grannyactivist. Anyone who has spent time doing the kind of work you do will have finely tuned negotiation skills and a solid BS barometer -

There's been much talk as if everyone is enthralled by football/sport. I'm not. This afternoon DD2 and I set off on our 3 hour drive home hoping motorways would be empty-not a bit of it! As busy as usual. . . . so not everyone is interested.
I would have more time for these admittedly talented sports players if they were paid minimum wage and their presently obscenely inflated wages spread around to those in society who need/deserve it.
Definitely not heroes!

Why do people begrudge what they earn, I have no interest in football but I don’t agree with the constant -people who earn money should give it away , why? some people have a talent, work hard developing their skills.

Yes that is true Annie but there is also inequity in payment to other groups of workers who train and work hard.

Footballers are paid silly money because people are prepared to pay silly money for tickets, football merchandise and sports coverage. The public has a choice.

More sinister is the gambling that is focusing on sport, way beyond the innocent football pools. (Do they still exist?)