Back in elementary school, I'm pretty sure almost everyone at some point had to write a report (not a paper, a report) about his or her role model. I'm also willing to bet that many students chose to write about professional athletes (besides Mom and Dad, of course).
Why pro athletes?
They are recognizable, usually in the spotlight, flashy, talented human beings who are given considerable media coverage. It's easy to see why kids often choose athletes as role models. But do they really make the best examples for children?
There are certainly many qualities athletes possess that make them admirable. Some don't have the most talent but put in extra hours at the gym, shoot 100 extra free throws or take 100 extra swings in batting practice to improve their skills. Some demonstrate leadership by bringing their teams together in a time of need. Some give back to the community by donating their time or money.
Of course, it is usually the negative incidents that get publicized in the media. Whenever an athlete demonstrates bad sportsmanship, laziness or poor off-the-field conduct, he or she is setting a bad example for others. There are plenty of examples. The brawl at the Palace in Detroit a few years ago clearly did not demonstrate good sportsmanship but instead a lack of control on the part of several players. Mo Vaughn let his weight get out of control, and his deteriorating health contributed to the end of his career. Terrell Owens' bad attitude makes him extremely difficult to coach at times. And it seems there are always instances of players getting arrested for drug use, fights or sexual misconduct.
So clearly, there are certain athletes that are good role models, and certain ones that aren't. But there is another question: since athletes are always in the spotlight, should they automatically be forced to be role models? Should we hold them to higher standards just because they are easily accessible to the impressionable youth?
The answer is no.
Before anyone calls for my head, let me explain a little. Just because someone is in the public eye all the time doesn't mean he or she has the responsibility to constantly set a good example for others. For instance, back when she was sane and had more hair, Britney Spears often danced on stage and in music videos in skimpy clothes, which many felt were too provocative for her to wear and for preteens to see. Should Britney have just worn less revealing clothing because she set a bad example with her risqu?© outfits? Did she have a responsibility to provide a clean, wholesome image for her viewers? The answer is no because it was her choice (or her design consultant's) to wear what she wanted.
Back to the world of sports. Many athletes engage in taunting during their sport of choice. Chad Johnson has worked hard to perfect the art of touchdown celebrations, and Dikembe Mutombo has his patented finger-wag after a block. Younger children may emulate these acts in a game of their own, acts which some deem unsportsmanlike. Should Chad no longer pretend to propose to cheerleaders after his latest touchdown? No. Even if it is considered unsportsmanlike (for the reason that he's rubbing the touchdown in his opponent's face), it's his decision to engage in such conduct, and often athletes are willing to face the consequences.
By now you might be wondering, "Is this guy saying that such terrible acts like the Pistons-Pacers fight are okay because they were decisions made by an athlete and several of the players had to face the consequences?" Hypothetical reader, that's not what I'm saying. Watching players go into the stands and brawl with each other was disgusting to watch, and everyone involved should be ashamed for being part of one of the darker days in recent NBA history.
So what am I saying about athletes being role models?
Basically, that they shouldn't have to feel like they are role models and undertaking actions so they can provide a good example for someone they've never met. Instead, they should take certain actions because they are the right ones to take. Going into the crowd to attack an antagonistic fan is just wrong. Demonstrate sportsmanship because it's the right thing to do, and don't take steroids because it's cheating. A kindergartner could tell you that cheating is wrong. Once athletes act in accordance with right and wrong, then they become good role models by default - the kinds first graders wrote about for their reports.
