Need a shot made with only a half second on the clock? No problem - give it to Mike. "There's only one opportunity to make a touchdown a hundred yards out - please, where's Mr. Montana?" When those rare moments are accomplished enough those athletes become our heroes. We celebrate them with parades and rush to the movies to see their 30-second cameos. Or maybe we'll purchase a pair of Adidas and their number jersey in hopes to "be like Mike." Names such as Joe Namath, Mohammed Ali, Babe Ruth, Julius "Dr. J" Erving and Mike Tyson - yes, even Mike Tyson.

But for the past two weeks a new hero has emerged and he isn't vying for a MVP trophy or a Nike endorsement. He doesn't wear his number on a jersey, nor needs his picture on the Wheaties box. No, he isn't our typical, shot-clock-beating hero. Instead, I'm talking of a new team in a much more serious league - the rescue workers of New York City and Washington D.C.

In this period of seemingly endless grief and mourning for loved ones, those rescue workers have provided a glimmer of hope. With their relentless attitude to recover, they have inspired this nation with what many of us may have lost - determination, courage, strength, and a powerful sense of teamwork. Without thinking of it, those workers have re-programmed our routine mentality. Whereas sports provide us with moments of entertainment, New York and Washington rescuers have given us the blueprint of how to help our fellow neighbor. It may sound corny or overly patriotic, but "The Truth" is what it is. Because in the wake of this tragedy we are no longer strangers but instead we are as God sees it: true brother and sister.

In recent years, police officers have been noticed for only their brutality and profiling of young minority men and women. Believe me: I stand as one from the same community. But these past two weeks they too have shown and proven themselves in a new and more positive light. Finally we can actually say that the cops are good guys and not laugh afterwards.

Beneath the avalanche of debris where once stood the Pentagon and the World Trade Center (now labeled as "Ground Zero"), America's new heroes continue to search without any hesitation, undaunted by the lasting effects this will no doubt take. I've heard many stories of true heroism. They are abundant and enl ightening. It shows that we haven't lost our sense of compassion. People risking their lives to save others prove to me that there is nothing that we cannot accomplish when we are truly united.

The names of sporting figures should now be replaced with those of Officers John Lahey and John Perry and Fire Fighter Tim Thomas - men who stood face to face with fear and defeated it. These are true heroes who gave their lives to save others. Little Timmy will now retire his Randy Moss poster for an American Flag he wanted for Christmas. In my modest opinion the men and women of Ground Zero are true heroes and they didn't have to make a jump shot and they aren't telling the media they're "going to Disney World." Instead, they stand side by side to recover and offer some closure to the families sadly dealing with their losses.

As we get back to enjoying Monday night football games and we watch these athletes endure their weekly test on the gridiron, please keep in mind the true heroes at Ground Zero and all that they stand for. As much as I love sports, and as much as I am overjoyed that the games have returned, I will not forget exactly what true teamwork is. And for the time being, sports figures whom I admire and look upon as heroes will have to RIDE THE BENCH.

To comment on this or any other column by Drew "The Truth" Alexander, email ridethebench@metroconnection.info.