Popular Culture's effect on Sports role models
Think About “My Generation… Baby!”
Sports have such an enormous part of people’s lives and they influence us in various ways. People not only participate in sports, but they discuss, follow, write, and even fantasize about them daily. Particularly through the eyes of young children, who often view professional athletes as role models, and look up to them. Popular culture is a part of everyone’s lives today, and it affects sports through a plethora of positive and negative ways. Popular culture makes certain athletes look very humbling, but then sometimes it could make an athlete look like a complete fool. Many young boys who enjoy sports usually have dreams of playing professionally one day. Therefore these athlete role models have such a giant affect on them because kids want to be just like them, and sometimes for all of the wrong reasons.
Athletes such as Michael Jordan play such an immense role in children’s lives. Many see Jordan as the best basketball player to ever play the game. Children who inspire to have dreams of making it professional and want to be the best look up to Jordan. Jordan is shown all over the world through popular culture. Whether it is his numerous sponsorships, or athletic greatness, he is all over the place. Children see this iconic man and want to “be like Mike,” and they will not only try to play like him, but also be like him in whatever ways they can. Athletes such as Michael Jordan help motivate kids to go play basketball and be active. By being active, it not only is healthy for children, but also it steers them away from other troublesome paths in life. Jordan is praised when Kellner says “On one hand, as noted, he is a privileged role model for Black youth, he reportedly helps mentor young athletes, and he is a symbol of the African American who has transcended race and who is integrated in American society, representing the dream of assimilation, wealth, and success,” (Kellner p.149). Things that have meanings that are far
Sports have such an enormous part of people’s lives and they influence us in various ways. People not only participate in sports, but they discuss, follow, write, and even fantasize about them daily. Particularly through the eyes of young children, who often view professional athletes as role models, and look up to them. Popular culture is a part of everyone’s lives today, and it affects sports through a plethora of positive and negative ways. Popular culture makes certain athletes look very humbling, but then sometimes it could make an athlete look like a complete fool. Many young boys who enjoy sports usually have dreams of playing professionally one day. Therefore these athlete role models have such a giant affect on them because kids want to be just like them, and sometimes for all of the wrong reasons.
Athletes such as Michael Jordan play such an immense role in children’s lives. Many see Jordan as the best basketball player to ever play the game. Children who inspire to have dreams of making it professional and want to be the best look up to Jordan. Jordan is shown all over the world through popular culture. Whether it is his numerous sponsorships, or athletic greatness, he is all over the place. Children see this iconic man and want to “be like Mike,” and they will not only try to play like him, but also be like him in whatever ways they can. Athletes such as Michael Jordan help motivate kids to go play basketball and be active. By being active, it not only is healthy for children, but also it steers them away from other troublesome paths in life. Jordan is praised when Kellner says “On one hand, as noted, he is a privileged role model for Black youth, he reportedly helps mentor young athletes, and he is a symbol of the African American who has transcended race and who is integrated in American society, representing the dream of assimilation, wealth, and success,” (Kellner p.149). Things that have meanings that are far
Cited: "Sports, Media Culture, and Race-Some Reflections on Michael Jordan." Discovering Popular Culture. Pg. 143-57. "Michael Vick Sentenced to 23 Months in Jail for Role in Dogfighting Conspiracy." Fox News. FOX News Network, n.d. Web. 08 Oct. 2013. "I Promise: Will Gator QB Tim Tebow 's Legacy Be '08 Speech, or Something Greater?" Orlando Sentinel. N.p., n.d. Web. 08 Oct. 2013. "Aaron Hernandez Fiancee Indicted in Connection to Odin Lloyd Murder Case." NBC News. N.p., n.d. Web. 08 Oct. 2013.