Why do we idolize sports players?
I haven’t got a clue as there isn’t a single sportsperson that I idolize, there are a few who I appreciate in what they do for their particular sport because of the skill they show or because they appear to be using their gained states to actually help others in the world.
But in general, I would guess that many people do because they like what the person can do in that particular sport and would like to be able to do what that person can do.