Shane Battier: A Real Role Model for This Decade, the Next One, and Beyond

Hey kids, y’all want a real role model?

Try the Houston Rockets’ Shane Battier.

Battier is the real deal, and what you see is what you get.

From his days at Duke to his current moments in a Rockets jersey, Battier is the definition of everything good in sports.

After four years under the greatest coach ever in Mike Krzyzewski, Battier has learned to be an all-around athlete on the hardwood, leading by example both on and off the court.

Sorry, Shane, not meaning to put any added pressure on you; but I doubt you mind it.

In fact, when recent news surfaced that TMZ would soon be creating a sports site, Battier could only chuckle.

“That’s the last thing we need as athletes,” Battier told Houston Chronicle writer Jeffrey Martin. “The way I look at it is, people want to have the experience of being an athlete or being a rock star. Being on the inside… That’s what pro sports have sold, be it helmet cams or cameras in the locker room.

"It’s become a very, I think, dangerous thing, trying to mess with the integrity of the sport when you allow too much access. It’s unfortunate – I think it takes from our job, the sports side of it, and it makes more of a reality show.”

Battier is exactly right; just look at the recent Tiger Woods scandal as an example.

But I believe that Shane is honestly different than all those guys.

Shane Battier, in my opinion, is a prime example of who kids should be looking up to.

“It’s the life we choose,” Battier said. “I’m not complaining about it. I love my life. It’s a different era than the Bird-Magic era of the ‘80s when you just played basketball and went home at the end of the night.”

I couldn’t have said it better myself, Shane; keep up the impressive and solid work. It’s great to see a down to earth “celebrity” like yourself showing that there really are good guys to still have as role models in the NBA…

Denton Ramsey may be reached via email at [e-mail]