Athletes as roll models

[SOONER STEAKER]

After hearing the judge tell Michael Vick he needed to apoligize to the millions of kids who looked up to him as a roll model made me think. "Do we really want our kids looking up to athletes?"

Magic Johsnon-contracted aids
Michael Jordan-gambling problems
Mark McGuire-steroids
Barry Bonds-steroids
Pete Rose-taxes/gambling problems
Michael Vick-gambling
Dwight Gooden-cocaine
Allen Iverson-gang member and doesn't want to practice
Koby Bryant-rape and adultery


The lists goes on and on and on. Why can't kids today choose their fathers or maybe a teacher at school to be their roll models.

Should athletes be the people that the youth look for as roll models?

[OUDoc]

"Do we really want our kids looking up to athletes?"
No.

It's sad that when someone can run really fast, that is supposed to suddenly make them a role model, or even a smart or decent person. It's the same with any celebrity, I guess.

[crawfish]

This guy is quite the roll model:

http://walterfootball.com/images/look0603.jpg

[The Maestro]

Athletes have losers just like all other members of society. For all the Vick's and Rose's, you also have Kurt Warner, Adrian Peterson, Steve Nash and Shaq...preachers, teachers, politicians, doctors, lawyers...some good, some bad.

[OUDoc]

This guy is quite the roll model:

He can't run fast.

Can he?

[achiro]

He can't run fast.

Can he?
We're talking about rolling here aren't we?

[OUDoc]

Or belly and/or jelly rolls.

[Howzit]

No.

It's sad that when someone can run really fast, that is supposed to suddenly make them a role model, or even a smart or decent person. It's the same with any celebrity, I guess.

Or swim really far.

I didn't ask to be idolized by the world's population.

Gah.

[stoops the eternal pimp]

Well to bring a little sunlight in here, a poll of kids show that

parents are still the highest rated role model (50 %) with mothers getting a slight nod over fathers.

Teachers came in a 5 %

God got a little over 10 %

Different athletes received mention but nobody enough to earn a full percentage point.

[Scott D]

As much as some of you hate Barkley he had it right about Role Models (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WRYeqGZRo9Q)

[rufnek05]

what about Farve?

[Curly Bill]

As much as some of you hate Barkley he had it right about Role Models (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WRYeqGZRo9Q)

Yep.

...and I love Barkley, he's a breath of un-politically correct air. :D

[SleestakSooner]

http://www.cartoonstock.com/newscartoons/cartoonists/cwl/lowres/cwln52l.jpg

Or model roller?

http://www.earthcultureroots.com/images/products/sticker/stckr-bm-roll-model.gif

[Flagstaffsooner]

Nolan Ryan, nuff said.

[Scott D]

what about Farve?

he's a role model to pain killer addicts and misguided Wisconsinites the world over.

[OCUDad]

I didn't ask to be idolized by the world's population.Isn't it great when your wishes come true?

[soonerbrat]

http://www.cartoonstock.com/lowres/wpr0130l.jpg

[GrapevineSooner]

We need a Pole about Roll Models.

[MamaMia]

A child can have more than one role model. Well rounded athletes make good role models but these associations are most likely formed about someone children look up to from afar. Of course a child can, and usually does have more than one role model. Back in my day, athletes as a whole, were better role models than they are today. I think it best to encourage our children to lean toward having role models who they can actually have a relationship with on a mentor type basis.

[GottaHavePride]

After hearing the judge tell Michael Vick he needed to apoligize to the millions of kids who looked up to him as a roll model made me think. "Do we really want our kids looking up to athletes?"

Magic Johsnon-contracted aids
Michael Jordan-gambling problems
Mark McGuire-steroids
Barry Bonds-steroids
Pete Rose-taxes/gambling problems
Michael Vick-gambling
Dwight Gooden-cocaine
Allen Iverson-gang member and doesn't want to practice
Koby Bryant-rape and adultery


The lists goes on and on and on. Why can't kids today choose their fathers or maybe a teacher at school to be their roll models.

Should athletes be the people that the youth look for as roll models?

Um, one of these things is not like the others. Contracting HIV/AIDS has little connection to morality. You can get that from a contaminated blood transfusion. Considering what he's done since then, I'd say Magic Johnson would be a damn good role model for a kid.

Feel free to substitute Jose Canseco in his place for a bad role model from that era. Or O.J. Simpson.

[soonerbrat]

Um, one of these things is not like the others. Contracting HIV/AIDS has little connection to morality. You can get that from a contaminated blood transfusion. Considering what he's done since then, I'd say Magic Johnson would be a damn good role model for a kid.

Feel free to substitute Jose Canseco in his place for a bad role model from that era. Or O.J. Simpson.


but magic didn't get it from a contaminated blood transfusion. he got it from sleeping around.

[stoops the eternal pimp]

I would say he got it from getting in the cookie jar too much but in this case it was messing around outside the Cookie jar

[XingTheRubicon]

but magic didn't get it from a contaminated blood transfusion. he got it from sleeping around.


While he was married with kids and somehow didn't expose his wife.

I still like him, though.

[soonerbrat]

While he was married with kids and somehow didn't expose his wife.

I still like him, though.


I like him too...didn't say I didn't, just that he didn't get HIV from a blood transfusion, that it WAS morality related.

[SoonerTerry]

My son loves spiderman, but he behaves like the people he is around daily.

That whole "superstar role-model" thing is a joke to me. Kids are going to behave like the people they interact with daily. Everything else is just a fad. The kids may dress like them or talk like them, bu that doesn't change who they are. Besides, Its not up to Brett Favre to teach my kid how to act, Its up to me.

BTW, I have a 17 yr old daughter and a 5 year old son. So I'm not just talking out my ***.

[GottaHavePride]

I like him too...didn't say I didn't, just that he didn't get HIV from a blood transfusion, that it WAS morality related.

Yeah, but I think he's made up for it by how he reacted to the situation afterward.

For that matter, I think Michael Jordan's still a pretty good role model, too.

[royalfan5]

Who would you rather have your kids look up too, athletes or politicians? I'd lean athletes.

[XingTheRubicon]

Who would you rather have your kids look up too, athletes or politicians? I'd lean athletes.

I'd lean toward politicians. There are plenty of admirable politicians. You just never hear anything about the ones that do a great job, kinda like referees.

[bluedogok]

Jordan has enough money to gamble, it's not like he got into financial trouble because of it. Him losing $10,000 is like most of us losing $50.00.

People have always looked up to athletes, celebrities or public figures throughout time. Mickey Mantle was a role model to many because of his play on the field and public persona, his private life was not that big of a deal back in those days unlike how it has become such a focus now.

EVERYONE has faults, you just don't see them displayed for public view for most people.

[JohnnyMack]

he's a role model to pain killer addicts and misguided Wisconsinites the world over.

Hater.

[Curly Bill]

For roll models kids can always look to the clergy. :eek:

[Scott D]

Hater.

so I keep being told. :)

[OUDoc]

BTW, I have a 17 yr old daughter and a 5 year old son. So I'm not just talking out my ***.
Might as well be, I know she's not listening. ;)

[jr4ou]

This guy is quite the roll model:

http://walterfootball.com/images/look0603.jpg
yep:cool:

[SOONER STEAKER]

I understand your thoughts on Magic Johnson, but he did contract the disease by being unfaithful to his wife. That's would be the reason why I have him listed.

[Okla-homey]

As much as some of you hate Barkley he had it right about Role Models (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WRYeqGZRo9Q)

My favorite Barkley-ism: No, I never finished my degree. But everyone who works for me did.

I like Charles. He's real. He's funny. He is considered a minor saint in Lower Alabama to this day.

[usmc-sooner]

but magic didn't get it from a contaminated blood transfusion. he got it from sleeping around.

yeah he got it from messing with porno chicks and groupies all over the country. I like him but people who do stupid stuff have stupid stuff happen to them. There are a lot of other NBA man whores that didn't go as far as Magic.

[olevetonahill]

Two I wouldnt Mind being Roll Models for My kids or Grandkids are
AD an LT . Then we can toss in TRRW
just sayin

[SoonerBOI]

While I understand the lure of pro-athletes to children and younger teens, I would also want to include people who exhibit the finest qualities in human beings, like volunteers, teachers, health care workers, people who reach out to those on the fringes of society, people who make a real difference in other people's lives for the better and do it for the love of it not because they are highly paid. Pro athletes do exhibit good qualities that young people can emulate like their devotion to their profession, the practicing and the long hours working out to be at the top of their games, their philanthropy and various foundations that improve young people's lives.

What is interesting to observe is that while kids are growing up, they say their role models are athletes or celebrities. But when they grow up, and look back on their lives, they will say that their role models were really their parents, certain teachers, a pastor, etc. It's funny how hindsight changes perception.

[olevetonahill]

Hospice workers
Nuff said