This past weekend, professional wrestling legend, “Rowdy” Roddy Piper passed away. Piper is someone I really enjoyed when I was younger and appreciated more as I got older. He was a legitimate tough guy, possessing a Golden Gloves boxing background and a Judo black belt under “Judo”Gene LeBell. Starting his professional wrestling career at the age of 15, he was a small man having to claw his way to the top of a world ruled by big men. To do what he did took not only physical strength but mental toughness as well.

I don’t want to go over the his whole life and career, but I’d encourage you to take a look. There is one thing I’d like to address with “Rowdy” Roddy that is an example of something I’d like to see in my own children.

There is a photo that was to hype a match between Hulk Hogan and Roddy Piper that I’d like to break it into pieces first to show why I think it’s powerful.

First, let’s take a look at just the physical presence of both individuals:

Just look at the size difference between these two men. In Piper, you have a man that is more athletic than your average man, but nothing extraordinary. On the right, you have Hulk Hogan’s 300 plus pound body that, one would assume, would almost definitely outmuscle Hot Rod with little to no problem. So, why would you want to tune in to see these guys lock up?

All we have to do is look at the faces, more specifically, the eyes of both men. Rowdy Roddy Piper, while physically the smaller man has as much if not more intensity emanating from his facial expression than Hogan. The man is selling this match based on the attitude that he’s the bigger man inside.

Put the two pieces together and you have a fiery Roddy Piper sticking his finger in the chest of a giant with the belief that he not only can but will beat the behemoth. Yes, I know wrestling isn’t real, but they’re selling an illusion and the people have to buy it.

How you look doesn’t matter nearly as much as how you carry yourself

This is something I’d like my kids to learn, believe and internalize what Piper is showing. Of course, I’d prefer they do that while being one of the “Good Guys”.