Sports Figures, Celebrities, and Role Models Since the beginning of time, people have always dreamed of being famous, living lavish lifestyles, or being highly regarded as the best at what they do. Even though these are amazing things to strive for, once it is achieved, people begin to hold you to a higher standard and consider you as a role model. Sports figures and celebrities have often been considered role models for as long as those particular occupations have existed. But before you consider these people role models, it is best to ask the simple question, why? Why would these groups of people be considered role models? Is it because of their job, the money they make, or the fame that they have achieved? It’s probably best to take time and actually define what a real role model is. In short, a role model is a person who has the attributes, values, and behaviors that comes with a particular role. The people that are held in this role are held to a higher standard and are often admired and emulated by others. According to the Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry whether good or bad, “Children may try to copy the behavior and appearance of celebrities, such as athletes and entertainers, and characters from books, TV, movies and video games” (“Children and Role Models”, 2011). Due to the fact that these groups of people often do not take this into consideration, it is very easy for our youth to copy how these groups of people behave, in which a lot of cases is negative. Although this is a very large group, all it takes is for one person to give the entire group a bad name. Therefore, sports figures and celebrities simply should not be considered as role models to our youth. This is because they do not inspire children to work hard at other things than that particular craft, some are only concerned about what they are getting paid to do, and they most often stay in the media for negative things that they do instead of inspiring others to good things. Part of being a good role model is being able to do the right thing when no one is looking. Due to this reason, sports figures should not be idolized or held as role models, as they are humans and are capable of human flaws just as everyone else. In the article by Roy Kent “Athletes are just human beings, not role models”, it is clearly stated that “They are flawed. An ability to run fast, throw far, and hit harder may make it easier to get a multi-million dollar paycheck. But it does not turn a jerk into a good person” (Kent, 2014). For the everyday average person, it is almost expected for flaws in human judgment to occur. Drinking and driving, doing drugs, spousal abuse, or anything else that could be considered a crime. When the everyday person commits these acts, in most cases they are “career enders” and can put them in jail. When it comes to sports figures and celebrities, it’s safe to say that this sadly is not the case. These same crimes are committed by these groups and often go untouched or “swept under the rug.” For most athletes, suspensions from games and a pay cut is usually what is handed out. When these issues arrive, it shows our youth that it is ok for these actions to take place, which is completely unacceptable. According to the Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry “Sometimes widely admired public figures can make poor personal choices. Young children may assume that the behaviors of negative role models are typical, safe and acceptable” (“Children and Role Models”, 2011). It is a known fact that sports figures and celebrities are constantly in the media. Whether it is because they are being nationally televised performing their craft, or because they are in the news for good or bad reasons, they are constantly being viewed by millions of people. Because they are always being watched, doing what is right as a person should always be on their minds. Not because they are forced, but because they want too. This lack of integrity among sports figures presents the idea that you should do whatever it takes to win; even if it compromises your integrity or breaks the rules. In Irene Rosenberg Javors article titled “Redefining Heroes”, she states “We have been taught that they are paragons of sportsmanship – the old idea that what matters “is not whether you win or lose, but how you play the game.” Unfortunately, we discover that so many of our players are hyped up on steroids and that their accomplishments are not the result of natural efforts but rather are the result of drug enhancements” (Javors, 2008).
As adults, we should be always trying to teach our youth that they should always do what is right. No matter the outcome or consequences, doing what is right is always best. Across the spectrum there is a huge lack of integrity. In the case of the NFL player Ray Rice, a video surfaced of him abusing his wife in an elevator. Until the video surfaced, the incident remained silent and nothing came from it. It was until the video was surfaced until any actions were taken. Even after the video surfaced the only punishment that the player received, was being released from his team and being suspended from the league indefinitely. The article “NFL admits it 'failed' in handling of Ray Rice case” the author Steve Ginsburg states “When young people see athletes committing acts of violence, and when those acts are excused, glossed over, and given pathetically weak punishments, they learn that domestic violence is not taken seriously" (Ginsburg, 2014). There are many other things that kids should look to aspire to be when they get older. Reaffirmed by the great Charles Barkley; athletes should not be considered as role models. In 1993, during a 30 second Nike commercial, Charles Barkley decided to let the world know his view on sports figures and role models. He stated “I am not a role model. I am not paid to be a role model. I am paid to wreak havoc on the basketball court. Parents should be role models. Just because I dunk a basketball doesn't mean I should raise your kids” (Charles Barkley, 1993). To this day, this statement has raised awareness and intense discussions on whether sports figures should be considered role models. Although Charles Barkley is watched by millions of people across the world he understands that the importance of this subject matter. More importantly he understands that a child’s parent should be their main role model throughout their life. According to Charles Barkley (2007) in "Should Celebrity Athletes/Entertainers Be Role Models?” the only thing that children, (especially black children) aspire to be is either a celebrity or a sports figure. This belief is a very sad thought process due to the fact that there is a very slim chance of these things happening to the everyday child.
The fact of the matter is that in most professional sports, less than one percent of people from high school go on to play college sports, and only one percent of college students go on to play professional sports. Instead of aspiring to only be these things, children should aspire to be teachers, policemen, firemen, or even lawyers. Children should also understand that their main role model should be their parents. The parents are constantly the ones who help shape a child’s future and helps mold them into the person that they aspire to be. For most children, when it comes to deciding who their role model is, it is often the person in the media that runs the fastest or sings the best. But why is this the case? Part of deciding who is a role model, one should try to figure out and understand how they relate and identify with that particular person. The average child can never relate to NBA player LeBron James or recording artist Nicki Minaj. To immediately claim and assume that these people should be role models is wrong. On a radio show called “Talk of the Nation” the host Neal Conan decides to hear different caller’s opinion on whether the President of the United States, Barrack Obama, should be considered a role model. Due to him being the President, the general idea was that he should be (especially to black men), but a few callers felt that even for the President, that title was hard to give even a person like him. One caller stated “Although there's some pleasure and excitement and even pride about Obama, where he's at and where they're at is so disparate, so different, that he can't really have an effect on them” (Conan, 2009). Another caller stated “But you know, I know some black men, you know, who don't necessarily identify with Barack Obama. They want to see more; they want issues that affect black men to be addressed more, more than just, you know, some kind of a token suggestion or effort, but like, you know, to really, really address some of the issues that affect black men” (Conan, 2009). As stated, you’re status of who you are portrayed to be in the media should not decide and dictate whether you are a role model. To some people, the man with the most power in our world is not even their role model, because they simply can’t relate. Children should understand that sports figures and celebrities should not be considered role models, instead it should be the people that care most for them; their parents or teachers. In the article “A reality check on role models” the author places special emphasis on the fact that parents should allow their children to see and witness the things that happen in the media. The author states “It’s vital kids see what goes on in the real world, so they know about the consequences of, for example drinking to excess when they’re older” (“A reality check on role models”, 2011). Because TV and the things that happen in the media can seem very appealing and attractive, children often get caught in believing that what celebrities and sports figures portray is a good thing. Although to some it may seem important to allow your children to view the negative things that occur in the media, it is very important that they have an adult to show them the difference between right and wrong. In some cases it is ok to treat some sports figures and celebrities as role models, but choosing these people should be done very carefully, as most do not take the responsibility seriously of being considered a role model. Although children often look to the media for these role models, they should have to look no further than the people that raise them. A child’s parents, the teachers that are constantly teaching and developing a child, or even the people in that particular child’s community that can help have a positive influence over a child. Along with Charles Barkley, Jackie Joyner-Kersett’s article titled “Should Celebrity Athletes/Entertainers Be Role Models” she states “The reason I feel so strongly about this is because I try not to live a double life. The way I am in private is how I am in public. I keep what I have done athletically in perspective and I don’t lose sight of the fact that, as a human being, I am no better than anyone else. I am just trying to be a good person” (Joyner-Kersett, 2007). Instead of constantly allowing our youth to be constantly influenced by the media, it will always be our job to break that habit and show them what a real everyday role model is. Helping our youth understand that there are people in their everyday lives that can be their role models should be the goal. Not just helping them understand this, but helping them strive to be so much more than what they see in the media. Creating, striving, and obtaining attainable and realistic goals is simply something that a sports figure or celebrity can teach the everyday child. The article by Tom Curry titled “Role Models and Heroes” states “Let's remind our kids and each other that, often, the real heroes and role models are right in our own town and schools, making a difference each and every day” (Curry, 2014). In conclusion, when you think of a celebrity or sports figure, the very first thing you realize is that they live a lavish lifestyle and that more times than not, they are held to a higher standard than most people. To a lot of men, women, and children, these groups of people are often idolized and considered role models. Although their status and occupation would seem to dictate that notion, it is very important to question that particular belief. Are they considered role models because they can throw, hit, kick, or even shoot a ball better than most people? Or is it simply because they can sing, dance, and act? The sad realization is that these are the exact reasons why they are considered role models, and this is very unacceptable. Sports figures and celebrities should not be considered role models because they do not inspire children to work hard at other things than that particular craft, they are only concerned about what they are getting paid to do, and they are often seen in the media for doing negative things. Although it is very hard to say that every individual in this group does not deserve the “role model” title, it is important to understand that the negative actions of one, speaks loud and clear for the majority. Ultimately, it is our job to help refocus our youth and provide them with real everyday role models, and help prepare them for the world with more realistic and achievable goals.

Refrences
A reality check on role models. (2011, June 24). Evening Gazette. Retrieved December 22, 2014.
Barkley, C. (2007, December 1). Should Celebrity Athletes/Entertainers Be Role Models?Ebony, pp. 164-165.
Children and Role Models. (2011, September 1). Retrieved January 10, 2015, from http://www.aacap.org/AACAP/Families_and_Youth/Facts_for_Families/Facts_for_Families_Pages/Children_and_Role_Models_99.aspx
Conan, N. (Host). (2009, February 2). Talk of the Nation [Radio Broadcast] Washington, DC: National Public Radio.
Curry, T. (2014). Role Models and Heroes. The Exceptional Parent, Vol. 44(2), pp. 8-9. Retrieved January 10, 2015, from CINAHL with Full Text.
Ginsburg, S. (2014, December 2). NFL admits it 'failed' in handling of Ray Rice case. Retrieved January 10, 2015, from http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/12/02/us-usa-sports-abuse-idUSKCN0JG2J120141202
Javors, I. (2008). Redefining Heroes. Annals of the American Psychotherapy Association, Vol. 11, pp. 35
Joyner-Kerseet, J. (2007, December 1). Should Celebrity Athletes/Entertainers Be Role Models?Ebony, pp 164-165.
Kent, R. (2014, September 17). Athletes are just human beings, not role models. Tomball Potpourri. Retrieved December 22, 2014. role model. (n.d.). The American Heritage® New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition. Retrieved January 10, 2015, http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/role model