Discussion: To Fathers Everywhere: It Doesn’t Take A Cape To Be A Hero To Your Kids

When I revealed Leah’s battle with cancer to the public and put my football career on hiatus, people called me a hero. But I’ve never thought of myself in that way. I think of myself as a father who would do anything to care for his child. If that makes me a hero, then it’s time to acknowledge every dad who puts his children’s needs before his own. Any father wants what’s best for his children—but it doesn’t end there.

Recently, a professional athlete walked away from his sport—forfeiting millions of dollars in so doing—after his employer instructed him to stop bringing his son to work. His decision, whether you agree with it or not, triggered what I see as an important conversation about work-life balance for modern dads, a topic that wasn’t being discussed in the media but caught the attention of dads around the country.