I used to be critical of athlete worship, as many nerds are, until I actually started becoming athletic.

I still don't like sports culture, but I appreciate athleticism much more now. Intelligence, while important, is not the sole measure of a persons value, and its not a bad thing for a culture to value physicality. It's a very human thing, just like curiosity or creativity. Of course it would be nicer if we valued intellect to the same degree, but here we are.

Point is, its not just kicking a ball. Its a lifetime of work and passion. A scientist does not have greater moral worth than an athlete or artist. These aren't worthless pursuits only idiots focus on.