With new technology able to expose the personal lives of many of our favorite sports players, it’s becoming clear that many of the people our society idolizes are not as god-like as they seem.  That’s what makes the giving of the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Cardinals Hall of Famer Stan Musial so refreshing.

The former Cardinal legend, known to many as “Stan the Man,” will be one of 15 receiving the prestigious honor, given by the president of the United States.

According the Independent Living Research Utilization, the criteria for the award requires contributions to national security interests of the US, world peace cultural or important achievements.

Around St. Louis, “Stand for Stan” signs, courtesy of the Cardinals’ organization, have been appearing to gain support for the 90-year-old former player to be a recipient of the high honor.  Many people showed fervor towards the cause by signing petitions and displaying the signs that show a cartoon version of a grinning Stan in his Cardinal uniform.

After hearing about many professional athlete scandals such as Tiger Woods cheating on his wife with multiple women, Michael Vick participating in dog-fighting and Mark McGwire using steroids it’s nice to have a sports figure in the spotlight for just being a good person.  Musial has been married to his wife 70 years, quit smoking because he thought it could be a bad example for kids and was such a good ball player that he was on 24 all star teams.

Musial, who is connected very closely with St. Louis and it’s residents, is known for his kindness, always having a friendly disposition and signing autographs.  And unlike many other famous athletes, he lives a private life out of the media.

Some of the 15 others receiving the award with him include former president George H.W. Bush, musician Yo-Yo Ma and poet Maya Angelou.  The award will be given to Musial early next year in Washington, DC.

St. Louis should celebrate not only that one of our greatest residents is being recognized for his achievements, but that he is providing the U.S. something it has not gotten from professional athletes lately:  a hero.