id be more inclined to define any heroes of mine as someone who i am proud of. not of someone you want to prove youre better than. so i think you can answer that question yourself easily and say no, they are not your heroes.

and as far as being flamed for saying who your 'hero' was, well who cares? personal opinion is nothing but personal, and if youre afraid of what people say that may be negative towards you, what can you accomplish?