Are Athletes Role Models?
So, Ben Roethlisberger spoke with the Pittsburgh media Thursday and, depending on your perspective, spoke from the heart and sounded sincere. Whether one believes it is up to the individual and to interpretation. In most walks of life, talk is cheap. It’s all about action. He still faces a six game suspension, without pay, and four if good behavior is displayed.
Okay, this goes back to the age old myth, are athletes role models? Is it because they play a sport, make lots of money playing a kids game, and are on television all the time? Is it because they possess skills that most of us can only dream about? Should we allow our children to look at athletes as role models. The debate rages and will likely never die.
I have gone on record as saying how much I admire Sidney Crosby, presently 22 years my junior, even though he will be 23 in August. Sid carries himself with all the poise and class of someone 10, 20 years older. Matter of fact, he carries himself better than most, which is why so many people want to play with him and for the Penguins. Sid is not a role model for me. He is someone I admire for both his hockey skills and how he carries himself off the ice.
My role models are those who wear the uniform – whether it’s the police or the military. Of course, many of those folks are also somewhat younger than me, but they put there lives on the line to protect us everyday. You can’t ask for much more than that in an individual. I have my parents and members of my family who are my role models. Yes, I am old school that way, as I am a lot of ways. They were my first teachers.
Speaking of which, my seventh grade science teacher, who was also my varsity basketball coach, is still one of my role models. He demanded more from himself and as much from his students and his players. I knew where I stood with him and what was expected of me.
So, where do athletes stand with regards to this issue? That is still up for debate. Some weeks ago, our editor wrote an editorial on this very subject and I casually commented on it. He mentioned how he and his dad used to watch the Steeler games together. A fine family tradition that is and one I also followed when my dad was alive. It was a form of bonding with a senior male in my family. In this case, our fathers.
With the events surrounding Roethlisberger, many were, and still are, very heated and field strong opinions with regards to what happened and how they feel about him and, for that matter, the Steelers. I admit I had my taste spoiled regarding the Steelers after this whole scenario and, to a degree, I still do. But I also know that Steeler camp is less than two months away and our fancy soon turns to football when that time comes.
I admire athletes, but they are not my role models. As much as many love Hines Ward, and I like Hines, I got tired of hearing Hines always talking about being disrespected whenever the Steelers drafted receivers after they drafted him in 1998. My response to that is the Steelers can use all seven of their draft choices on wide receivers if they so choose. This is their business and they can run it as they see fit.
The other thing about Ward that bothers me is when he smiles after he drops a pass. Hines, that’s is your job and what you are paid to do. Do not drop the ball! This is what separates this team from the teams of the past. It is all about attitude and how you perceive yourself. Besides, Ward is closer to the end of his career than he is to the beginning. The youngsters are about to start taking over.
Is Troy Polamalu a role model? He might be the closest one on the team to being one, in addition to Heath Miller. Neither is in trouble with the law and both are very grounded and family oriented. Polamalu is also very religious and wears those emotions on his sleeve. Nothing wrong with that. We wear the jerseys and cheer the players on game days. We smile when they win and frown when they lose. But, do they influence us in how we live our lives?
Years ago, Charles Barkley said it wasn’t his job to raise your kid. To a degree, he’s right. Of course, he caught a lot of flak for that, but his point was made. Someone who serves as a role model is one who influences how we live and the path to follow. Some athletes may do that after their playing days are over. Mel Blount is an excellent example with his youth homes; until he ran into his tax problems.
The other side of this argument is those athletes who “get it.” They do not seek attention, but they go out of their way to lend their time and their money to good causes and give of their time to some people who may be less fortunate. Most try to do it under the radar, and succeed. Others sometimes have cameras follow them to see what it is they are doing. A press release comes out and the media have to follow.
Many athletes are not angels. Then again, none of us are (though there are some who think they are). We all make mistakes and we’re all human. But the role models in our lives should be those who make the right decision, no matter how boring and unpopular they may be, and lead by example. Without patting myself on the back, because that isn’t my way, I tend to be the one to do the right thing and be boring and do what isn’t necessarily popular, but what is always right. I can live with that. Many athletes can’t do that. They see the money and they go off the deep end.
Back to Roethlisberger. He admitted that he got caught up in the whole Big Ben persona and it caused him many problems. Some want to say that he’s 28, single, and should be able to do what he wants. To a point, that’s true. But, he is privileged to be playing professional football in the National Football League, own two Super Bowl rings and still just be entering his prime. That all got away from him and he is now paying the price.
Life is about second chances. Ben made his mistakes and he is willing to try and correct them. Does that make him a role model? Probably not. But if he able to lead by example, he’ll be better for it. He still has a long way to go. It’ll be an eternity before he plays a live game that counts. When he does, what kind of reception will he receive? What happens when he throws his first touchdown pass? What happens when he throws his first interception? Good questions both.
Nobody should feel sorry for Ben. He made his mistakes of his own free will. He has much to amend. Whether or not he is able to do that remains to be seen. How will he be received by the fans during training camp? Does he get booed while passing the fan line, or do they give him the benefit of the doubt? Latrobe will prove to be interesting.
So, are athletes role models? I don’t think we have fully answered that question. I don’t think we ever will. Everyone has an opinion on this debate. No one is right and no one is wrong. If I had a child, I would want my child to choose someone other than an athlete to be a role model. That choice would ultimately belong to the child. But I would hope he or she would give careful consideration to someone who makes a good, solid contribution to society and not someone who plays a sport for a living. As always, the debate continues, with no end in sight.
Okay, this goes back to the age old myth, are athletes role models? Is it because they play a sport, make lots of money playing a kids game, and are on television all the time? Is it because they possess skills that most of us can only dream about? Should we allow our children to look at athletes as role models. The debate rages and will likely never die.
I have gone on record as saying how much I admire Sidney Crosby, presently 22 years my junior, even though he will be 23 in August. Sid carries himself with all the poise and class of someone 10, 20 years older. Matter of fact, he carries himself better than most, which is why so many people want to play with him and for the Penguins. Sid is not a role model for me. He is someone I admire for both his hockey skills and how he carries himself off the ice.
My role models are those who wear the uniform – whether it’s the police or the military. Of course, many of those folks are also somewhat younger than me, but they put there lives on the line to protect us everyday. You can’t ask for much more than that in an individual. I have my parents and members of my family who are my role models. Yes, I am old school that way, as I am a lot of ways. They were my first teachers.
Speaking of which, my seventh grade science teacher, who was also my varsity basketball coach, is still one of my role models. He demanded more from himself and as much from his students and his players. I knew where I stood with him and what was expected of me.
So, where do athletes stand with regards to this issue? That is still up for debate. Some weeks ago, our editor wrote an editorial on this very subject and I casually commented on it. He mentioned how he and his dad used to watch the Steeler games together. A fine family tradition that is and one I also followed when my dad was alive. It was a form of bonding with a senior male in my family. In this case, our fathers.
With the events surrounding Roethlisberger, many were, and still are, very heated and field strong opinions with regards to what happened and how they feel about him and, for that matter, the Steelers. I admit I had my taste spoiled regarding the Steelers after this whole scenario and, to a degree, I still do. But I also know that Steeler camp is less than two months away and our fancy soon turns to football when that time comes.
I admire athletes, but they are not my role models. As much as many love Hines Ward, and I like Hines, I got tired of hearing Hines always talking about being disrespected whenever the Steelers drafted receivers after they drafted him in 1998. My response to that is the Steelers can use all seven of their draft choices on wide receivers if they so choose. This is their business and they can run it as they see fit.
The other thing about Ward that bothers me is when he smiles after he drops a pass. Hines, that’s is your job and what you are paid to do. Do not drop the ball! This is what separates this team from the teams of the past. It is all about attitude and how you perceive yourself. Besides, Ward is closer to the end of his career than he is to the beginning. The youngsters are about to start taking over.
Is Troy Polamalu a role model? He might be the closest one on the team to being one, in addition to Heath Miller. Neither is in trouble with the law and both are very grounded and family oriented. Polamalu is also very religious and wears those emotions on his sleeve. Nothing wrong with that. We wear the jerseys and cheer the players on game days. We smile when they win and frown when they lose. But, do they influence us in how we live our lives?
Years ago, Charles Barkley said it wasn’t his job to raise your kid. To a degree, he’s right. Of course, he caught a lot of flak for that, but his point was made. Someone who serves as a role model is one who influences how we live and the path to follow. Some athletes may do that after their playing days are over. Mel Blount is an excellent example with his youth homes; until he ran into his tax problems.
The other side of this argument is those athletes who “get it.” They do not seek attention, but they go out of their way to lend their time and their money to good causes and give of their time to some people who may be less fortunate. Most try to do it under the radar, and succeed. Others sometimes have cameras follow them to see what it is they are doing. A press release comes out and the media have to follow.
Many athletes are not angels. Then again, none of us are (though there are some who think they are). We all make mistakes and we’re all human. But the role models in our lives should be those who make the right decision, no matter how boring and unpopular they may be, and lead by example. Without patting myself on the back, because that isn’t my way, I tend to be the one to do the right thing and be boring and do what isn’t necessarily popular, but what is always right. I can live with that. Many athletes can’t do that. They see the money and they go off the deep end.
Back to Roethlisberger. He admitted that he got caught up in the whole Big Ben persona and it caused him many problems. Some want to say that he’s 28, single, and should be able to do what he wants. To a point, that’s true. But, he is privileged to be playing professional football in the National Football League, own two Super Bowl rings and still just be entering his prime. That all got away from him and he is now paying the price.
Life is about second chances. Ben made his mistakes and he is willing to try and correct them. Does that make him a role model? Probably not. But if he able to lead by example, he’ll be better for it. He still has a long way to go. It’ll be an eternity before he plays a live game that counts. When he does, what kind of reception will he receive? What happens when he throws his first touchdown pass? What happens when he throws his first interception? Good questions both.
Nobody should feel sorry for Ben. He made his mistakes of his own free will. He has much to amend. Whether or not he is able to do that remains to be seen. How will he be received by the fans during training camp? Does he get booed while passing the fan line, or do they give him the benefit of the doubt? Latrobe will prove to be interesting.
So, are athletes role models? I don’t think we have fully answered that question. I don’t think we ever will. Everyone has an opinion on this debate. No one is right and no one is wrong. If I had a child, I would want my child to choose someone other than an athlete to be a role model. That choice would ultimately belong to the child. But I would hope he or she would give careful consideration to someone who makes a good, solid contribution to society and not someone who plays a sport for a living. As always, the debate continues, with no end in sight.
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