Another Vocabulary Crime

As a writer/editor for way too many years, I get annoyed at times at the bad, wrong or inappropriate use of certain words, and there is one I've been meaning to mention.
More and more, I have been hearing the word "decorated" used in place of "honored," especially on ESPN, for athletes and other people winning awards. No.
Decorated has a simple, long and rich meaning; it stands for people who receive decorations (such as medals and the like), as in military personnel, law enforcement officials, security/intelligence (CIA) and diplomatic personnel.
There is no reason the words honored, lauded, acclaimed, awarded and so on can't be used for athletes and others while the word decorated stands for those received decorations for heroic actions taken in the face of danger and for meritorious service in the defense and protection of others.