Are Professional Athletes Good Role Models?

On September 20, 2016 in my American Sport in the 21st Century class we discussed if professional athletes are suitable role models for children to look up to and learn from. In class we compiled a list of characteristics or traits a good role model should possess some included were:

•  Honesty
• Commitment
• Determination
• High Morel Values

Of course there are two sides of the spectrum when looking at athletes as role models some athletes are shining examples of what a role model should be while others can be considered as a bad influence for a child. We said in class that most if not all kids growing up playing sports want to make it to the big time and become superstars, but with the rarity of that actually happening kids still look up to athletes and aspire to be like them. 

In the Travis Armideo article Do Professional Athletes Actually make Good Role Models? Armideo covers much of what was touched on in class such as the hard work and determination of athletes to inspire young kids to reach above and beyond their potential. With the dawn of social media everything an athlete does is examined and picked apart by the media, an example covered in the article is that the NFL is leaning away from certain draft picks because of their off-the-field behavior including drug and alcohol abuse, homicide charges, and character issues. But Armideo brings up a valid point in that why should we expect these athletes to be model citizens in such violent sports that basically thrust overly aggressive and eccentric players into the spotlight? Parents seem to expect too much from athletes, they are the best at what they do like an elite businessman or surgeon at their respective careers except the latter two aren't forced into the spotlight. Charles Barkley was featured in a now famous Nike commercial where he states " I am not a role model" which you can watch below.

For the full Travis Armideo article click here

The famous Charles Barkley "I am Not a Role Model" Nike commercial 

When released the commercial caused an outrage but to some people he has a point; athletes get paid millions of dollars to play a sport that they are the best in the world at and get put in the spotlight for everyone to see, parents and local community members should be a child's role model. To others as a famous athlete with the possibility to impact thousands of kids' lives it should be an obligation to be a proper role model. 

Not all athletes think the same way as Charles Barkley though, to s

ome giving back and being a role model is something that they embrace as they do consider it as part of their job. Just a few examples I want to share is John Cena, even though pro wrestling is fake and barely considered a sport, John Cena is an athlete nonetheless and is a major part of the Make a Wish Foundation and the first celebrity to grant 500 wishes. Another is P.K. Subban of the Nashville Predators, who constantly visits volunteers, organizes fundraisers, and donates to the  Montreal Children's Hospital, so much so that they named an atrium in the hospital after him. With all of the community outreach many players have started or been a part of, some can be considered role models and should be focused in the media more while the others who can lead to negative influences should be talked about, not less, as some of their poor actions decisions should be known, but just not the main focus and constantly covering the news.






What do you think of athletes as role models? Should being a good role model be part of the job, or should parents be the main role model in a child's life?