Too often, we limit the definition of heroism to those who just get the events in a certain order: Challenge, struggle, and then overcoming that struggle for a final triumph. That narrow understanding of heroism is just editing. There can be heroes who triumph early, and who meet an ignominious and/or unpleasant end. It doesn’t make them any more or less valuable in the story, though it usually does mean they end up getting played by Sean Bean.
Sean Bean, in this singular, beautiful moment from Tennessee/West Virginia, would play the part of Tennessee defensive lineman Emmit Gooden.