Leonard Pope and the 5 Most Heroic Players in NFL History

We all look at NFL players and athletes as heroes for what they do in their given sport. I grew up worshiping Jerry Rice for what he did on Sundays in a 49ers uniform, never knowing anything about his life off the football field.

In today's Internet age it is easy to learn more about the players we idolize on the field of play. Thankfully there are players like Leonard Pope in the world—players we can tell our kids about with pride.

While there are many players worth mentioning on our list, here is a small look at the players who have made a mark in this world off the field.

Colt McCoy, Cleveland Browns

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CLEVELAND - DECEMBER 26: Quarterback Colt McCoy #12 of the Cleveland Browns runs the ball against the Baltimore Ravens at Cleveland Browns Stadium on December 26, 2010 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Matt Sullivan/Getty Images)

Before Colt McCoy was a record-setting quarterback at Texas or the future of the franchise for the Cleveland Browns, he was already a hero.

McCoy helped save a neighbor's life by swimming approximately 300 yards across a lake and flagging down emergency crews while neighbor Ken Herrington had a seizure on his backyard dock.

The neighbor would undergo three brain surgeries and survive thanks to the quick thinking of McCoy.

You can bet Ken Herrington wears a No. 12 jersey.

Tony Gonzalez, Atlanta Falcons

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ATLANTA - NOVEMBER 11: Tony Gonzalez #88 of the Atlanta Falcons against the Baltimore Ravens at Georgia Dome on November 11, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Back when Tony Gonzalez was making Pro Bowls for the Kansas City Chiefs, he saved a man from choking to death at a restaurant in Huntington Beach, California.

Per the story:

"

"Apparently the man's girlfriend was screaming that he was choking and the patrons in the restaurant were gawking and did nothing as the man began to turn blue. Tony Gonzales got up and did the Heimlich on him and the piece of meat that was stuck in the man's throat came out."

"

Quick thinking by the future Hall of Famer.

Ted Larsen, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

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FOXBOROUGH, MA - CIRCA 2010: In this handout image provided by the NFL, Ted Larsen of the New England Patriots poses for his 2010 NFL headshot circa 2010 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by NFL via Getty Images)

Rookies are not expected to make much of an impact in the NFL. Ted Larsen made his impact off the field during his rookie season.

Larsen earned the hero moniker after answering a distress call as he and his girlfriend were fishing off Honeymoon Island on the west coast of Florida.

Larsen said he heard the distress call from the Coast Guard around 3 p.m. He then checked the coordinates and proceeded over to find two kayakers overturned, holding onto their vessels. According to the St. Petersburg Times, Larsen pulled up the teens and their kayaks and shuttled them to safety.

Pat Tillman, Arizona Cardinals

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6 Sep 1998: Wide receiver Ernie Mills #85 of the Dallas Cowboys in action against defensive back Pat Tillman #40 of the Arizona Cardinals during the game at Texas Stadium in Irving, Texas. The Cowboys defeated the Cardinals 38-10. Mandatory Credit: Step

You cannot mention NFL heroes without giving massive credit to Pat Tillman.

The Tillman story has become so well known that many forget just how brave and how great the sacrifice Tillman made in leaving the NFL to join the Army Rangers after the 9/11 attacks.

While the U.S. government would eventually use Tillman for its own postering, the real story here is about the dedication, patriotism and ultimate sacrifice made by Tillman.

As Abraham Lincoln wrote, "I pray that our Heavenly Father may assuage the anguish of your bereavement, and leave you only the cherished memory of the loved and lost, and the solemn pride that must be yours to have laid so costly a sacrifice upon the altar of freedom."

Leonard Pope, Kansas City Chiefs

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KANSAS CITY, MO - DECEMBER 05: Leonard Pope #45 of the Kansas City Chiefs in action during the game against the Denver Broncos on December 5, 2010 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

It seems fitting that the Kansas City Chiefs would have nicknamed Leonard Pope "Champ."

Pope become a hero to one little boy's family this past weekend when he saved the boy from drowning in a swimming pool.

"My heart dropped. It could have been any child ... I just knew I had to do something," Pope said in an interview with ESPN First Take on Tuesday. "I wasn't waiting on anyone else or somebody else to try to pull him out. I just felt because I have kids of my own I would want someone to do that for my kids, also."

Pope was reportedly the only person at the party who knew how to swim, so he jumped into the pool fully clothed to save the six-year-old boy.