Lance Armstrong and Tyrann Mathieu were considered the royalty of their respective sports, peerless in talent and majestic in their performances. Each star’s rise to glory was well-chronicled, and each was venerated by legions of adoring fans.

Although their career paths never crossed, their demises have paralleled each other, finally intersecting at the corner of self-destruction and ignominy.

In his prime, Armstrong dominated the grueling Tour de France by maximizing his uncanny ability to navigate the mountains of France unlike anyone in history. Or so we were led to believe.

Matthieu spread misery through SEC backyards from Tuscaloosa to Oxford, leaving behind a trail of deflated defenders as he struck a dagger through the heart of despondent fans with another interception return or punt return for a touchdown.

The Honey Badger developed an enthusiastic fan base and was instantly pegged as a can’t miss NFL prospect. Or so we thought.

Armstrong’s reputation was forever contaminated after more than 20 competitors and former teammates testified of Armstrong’s drug use, with some even alleging he induced others to use drugs. His story is one that seemingly deserved a fairytale ending but the final scurrilous chapter was likely authored this past week when the international cycling federation vacated his seven Tour titles, leaving the still defiant Armstrong swaddled in shame.

Matthieu, an LSU standout, captivated the college football world with his freakish athletic ability, but there were hints of some off-the-field issues last year, and

his career came off the rails this past week with his arrest on drug charges, and now is LSU career is tattered and his shot at a professional career uncertain.

Although prematurely canonized by the media and adoring fans the downfalls of Armstrong and Matthieu are once again irrefutable evidence that athletes should never be placed on meridians of morality because of their ability to ride a bike, return a punt, dunk a basketball or even drain a clutch putt with a U.S. Open hanging in the balance.

Rather, the true heroes in today’s society are our teachers, police and firefighters, rescue workers, servicemen, parents and countless others who dedicate their lives to helping others. They are the ones who deserve our bouquets of adulation, who children should use as examples to mold their lives.