Charles Barkley famously said in a commercial for Nike: “I am not a role model. I am not paid to be a role model. Just because I dunk a basketball, doesn’t mean I should raise your kids.”
What ever happened to the sports icons? The players everyone admired and who represented all that was good for the American image? It seems that everyone in the world of sports has some major blemish on their career and the public simply ignores it as commonplace.
Sir Charles, whether you like it or not, as a professional athlete you are a role model and that will never change. By definition, a role model is “a person who serves as an example, whose behavior is emulated by others.” If that doesn’t sound like an athlete, walk by a basketball court and listen for how many times you hear “KOBE!” Not only do athletes’ actions influence the thousands of kids who idolize them, but they also influence the thousands of adults who idolize them.
I am aware that scandals in the world of sports may not be a new concept, but it always creeps back up into the spotlight over and over again. When I was growing up, Barry Bonds and Mark McGwire were demigods. It was my dream to see one of them effortlessly knock a ball out of the park, even against my beloved Yankees. At the same time, Jason Kidd arrived across the Hudson River to ascend with the New Jersey Nets from the basement of the NBA into would-be championship contenders. The two baseball legends have both had their falls from grace and while Kidd may be less notorious, he is far from the ideal star.
The main issue is that there haven’t been any superstar athletes that measure up to the perfect image of athletes of the past. Over the years, athletes have had their share of illicit incidents, but in this culture of overflowing media, it is imperative that some athletes step up and act as true role models.
Only recently have the personal lives of athletes been under such scrutiny, but with this change, players have not stepped up to the added pressure and responsibility.
Athletes have constantly folded under this pressure. In the past few days, four major athletes have been arrested. Every day writers (including myself) have to update the world about Kris Humphries’ antics, and now television channels stream shows like Basketball Wives onto the air. It is simply a toxic environment to maintain a decent image.
Of course, there will always be those token Christian boys that perpetually act appropriately. Not to hate on Tim Tebow, but until he wins the Jets ten games, I’m not convinced.
The biggest superstar athlete in America is undoubtedly LeBron James. For quite some time, I had hoped that he’d present himself as that perfect image of what an American sports icon should be. Unfortunately, the young star is probably the worst interviewee I’ve ever seen and simply digs his grave further with every comment he makes. Possibly the greatest NBA player since Michael Jordan can never ascend to such a spot if half of the fan base in America hates him. I applaud him for trying.
The great American hero is slowly dying. Now we know that even Olympians smoke weed and have illicit sex with one another. Nothing seems to be sacred and even worse, nothing is secret. As difficult as it is to try to be the best at sports and maintain an image, the limelight needs to be handled appropriately.
My simple urge is for professional athletes to please remember the first word in their job title.
Keep up the love,
– Nick D
