Athletes Are Not Role Models, But They Can Be Idols

Unless you personally know a professional athlete the chances are the only time you get to see that athlete is on TV or by going to watch them live. The key point being is that you're more likely not to have a personal relationship with that professional athlete. 

Yet, it seems like after every athlete arrest it doesn't matter in what sport, there's an argument that athletes are role models and need to behave better.

Fans have grown accustomed to hearing about athletes in the news doing something wrong whether it was illegal or something that wasn't really illegal, but a choice that was made that wasn't the best decision. 

A recent example of those would be the Donte Stallworth situation for DUI Manslaughter and the Steve McNair murder suicide. What Stallworth did was illegal and what McNair did wasn't the greatest decision in the world, but it wasn't illegal.

Maybe the most notorious idol was Michael Jordan. On the basketball court Jordan could do pretty much what he wanted. He could shoot, he could pass, he could defend, and he could literally fly through the air.

But, does that really make Jordan a role model?

Charles Barkely even said that he wasn't a role mode and Barkley is correct he definitely isn't a role model, but like Jordan, Barkley could be idolized.

Now it is not to say that professional athletes do not do good things for their communities. It is just saying that the argument that Athletes are role models because they are in the spotlight is a ridiculous assertion.

In a class I took we wrote about what it meant to be a role model. The biggest part to being a role model is the personal interaction you have with the person. A role model could be your parents, siblings, best friend, teacher, or someone else who has helped you throughout your lifetime.

They key point here is that personal relationship you have with that person.

As for my definition for role model it goes like this: A role model is a person that you can look up too, someone that you can build a relationship with you, a person who will give you advice and point you in that direction, they are positive and caring, they will stick by you even if you make a mistake, and the most important part is that they are able to admit when they have made a mistake and they constantly learn from those mistakes.

Now, being a role model doesn't mean they are perfect. There will be times when you don't agree with them and you can choose when you are presented with a situation similar to there's to go a different way.

The definition of an idol according to dictionary.com is any person or thing regarded with blind admiration, adoration, or devotion.

When looking at Jordan, it is easy to see why he falls under the definition of an idol. The gatorade commercials with the spot of "be like Mike" and the McDonald's commercials with Jordan and Larry Bird playing horse.

Yet, even with the commercials and the idolization does it mean that Jordan was a role model? The answer is no.

I've learned a few things on Jordan on bleacherreport about Jordan, that did not cast a very positive light on Jordan such as Jordan threatening to break the legs of a teammate or nearly coming to blows with Steve Kerr.

Another question is if someone asked you point blank who is your role model how would you answer that question? Would you say well my role model is my favorite athlete? Would you answer that it was your best friend, parent, or sibling?

If you asked me who my role model is, I would say that it would be my best friend.

There's also another definition of idol from dictionary.com that states this: A false conception or notion; fallacy.

Ah, the perfect example of idolizing an athlete. The fallacy of an athlete being a role model based on their performance in their respective sport.

There are three examples that come to mind:

The first example is that of Ben Roethlisberger. Roethlsiberger's recently was served with a civil lawsuit from a sexual assault that happened over a year ago. Now, there are going to be fans who idolized Roethlisberger who will quickly come to his defense.

Some examples will include calling the accuser names and trying to turn her into a bad person, just so Roethlisberger's image doesn't take a hit. I've seen the examples of the woman being called a "whore" or "golddigger", but really is Roethlisberger's image the main reason for those names?

Roethlisberger made some big plays in the Super Bowl against the Arizona Cardinals and in fact has helped guide the Steelers twice to Superbowl Wins, but that still doesn't mean he's perfect and it also doesn't mean he  assaulted the woman either.

The second example was with Steve McNair and the young woman he befriended and eventually had an affair with. If you were to ask a Titan fan or even a Raven fan what they thought of McNair their answers would paint a pretty picture of McNair.

Now that it was revealed about McNair cheating on his wife, some fans perception of McNair changed and some have even gone as far as saying that McNair got what he deserved.

Yet, again the picture painted of McNair was positive. His ability to play through pain and lead his teams to the playoffs.

The question that needs to be asked instead of are athletes role models, the question should be do athletes make good idols?

Another problem that arises that comes out is the fact that the media would rather print negative strories rather than positive stories about athletes. If I asked basketball fans what do you think of Stephen Jackson?

The immediate response is to revisit the brawl in Detroit or the gun incident when Jackson got into trouble for brandishing a gun and shooting it in the air. After each incident Jackson was suspended. So, Jackson get the label as a "thug."

But, the reason for that is the constant negative image Jackson is portrayed as. Jackson plays hard every night, yes he can take questionable shots, but when he's out on the basketball court you can see that he wants to win and he will give his best effort.

He also tends to wear his emotions on his sleeve and he can get into trouble with the NBA refs. He does get a lot of technicals and he's been tossed from a few games as well.

Yet, Tim Duncan calls Jackson "the ultimate teammate." 

Marcus Thompson of the Contra Costa Times has this to say "He takes the younger players under his wing, taking them shopping, dispensing advice, lending an ear. What’s more, he does the little things that are unbecoming of a millionaire thug. He looks people in the eye when they talk to him, as if he cares about what they’re saying. He frequently doles out handshakes, half-hugs, he returns phone calls. He mends fences, lifts spirits, and makes others feel special."

Jackson even helps out when opposing players get hurt. In a preseason game Rudy Fernandez twisted his ankle after making a great defensive play on Jackson. Jackson helped Rudy to his feet, so Blazers personnel could get him to the locker room, yet no mention from the two Blazer announcers of Jackson helping out.

In fact I go over more details about Jackson in an article I wrote titled "Stephen Jackson is Underappreciated as a person"

Matt Julian has written a slideshow titled "Beyond-The-Playing-Field-Some-of-Pro-Sports-Most-Caring-People" He's also made a part two to the slideshow as well, but even with the caring athletes in professional sports, the negative stories are still the most dominant.

Do any Red Sox fans remember that Alex Rodriguez saved an eight-year old boy's life while Rodriguez was walking on Newbury street in Boston?

There are a lot more examples of idolizing a player, but in the end the same answer comes along, professional athletes are not role models no matter how the pictures is painted.

Because again as I stated earlier there's no personal relationship with the athlete, what is seen is only superficial.