Athletes: Positive Role Models

When people think of an athlete, they think of a big jock. Someone who is dumb, self centered, and everyone's star. The athletes get the attention of all parents, teachers, and other students and they can do no wrong, even when everything that they get away with is very much so, wrong. But, what caused this illogical behavior? Their ego issues have begun to get out of control and it is not acceptable in today’s society. In order to change this unpopular behavior, rather than changing the child in the sport, why not change the sport systems? Rather than following the ‘everyone gets a trophy’ philosophy, why not have the main aspect be the benefit of playing the game? The benefits of mastering the sport and having fun while doing it, has been
Kids should look up to them and see who they want to be one day. I have to say, as an older athlete, when a little kid that is just starting out on their journey in the sports world and they come up to you and say, “I can’t wait to be like you!” It’s the best feeling you can get. John Wooden can exemplify what should be done very well, “Athletes should be good role models, but not heroes. A role model is someone those who love you would want you to be like. A hero is just someone the general public holds up to acclaim. They are often different people.” (260) An athlete is more than the hero of the homecoming game. Win or lose they can be a role model to the little kid in the stands that just earned to throw that ball. The way we treat athletics needs to change and that change needs to be seen by all that it affects. Coaches need to coach to teach, players need to play to master, and parents need to encourage positively the whole time. That kid in the stands should never have to feel the way I have known many of my peer athletes to feel. We’re losing the love for the game. The reason you start to play should never be outweighed by the reason to