Michael And Other Athletes example essay topic

642 words
Are Athletes Good Role Models We have admired athletes and the hard work that they do to achieve their goal of winning. We idolize them and wish that we were more like them. What happens, though, when the realization sinks in that they are human too and that some of them get greedy and selfish? A lot of athletes are model citizens that we should really look up to, but there are also some bad apples in the bunch that ruin it for everyone. Athletes can inspire young people to work hard so that their efforts can pay off, but no one is pure and flawless. Greed does take hold of some players, and they are human and make mistakes.

They shouldn't be the ones we devote all of our attention to. They do not ask to be idealized by fans. We should look at the positive things that they do. The media do not often report all of the good things that these people do, just the bad things and their mistakes. Athletes are only human just like the rest of us. Are these people safe for our children to idolize and to look up to?

The answer is yes, they can be looked up to and idolized! Michael Jordan has started a foundation that donates money for research to help physically challenged children. Also, he has been running up tabs at Atlantic City casinos, but who hasn't gambled? We are not perfect. Michael may gamble, but he does his share of helping and works hard for what he has acquired. Gambling is no crime, so then he is not showing us a negative behav or.

Michael, and other athletes as well, is aware that he is constantly being watched by millions and tries to act accordingly. There has been a major controversy in the NBA lately thanks to Charles Barkley and his claim in an interview that he is not a role model and that it is the job of the parent. He says that parents should not blame athletes if because they can not control their own children. Barkley has paid over $80,000 in fines over a period of two years. He is known for getting very aggressive and violent at times. No one is asking Barkley to give all his money away to charity, but to do what other stars do, realize that young people look up to them and show some restraint.

Nobody is forcing athletes to be good people. We just want some of them to use better judgement. Football player Orlando Pace sits with 6th grade children in their school library and helps them read. His message was,' Yes, I have had some athletic ability and talent, but studying is what's really important. ' He also said that he doesn't think of himself as a role model but is doing the right thing because he knows that there are people looking up to him and he wants to show them something positive.

Most of the players are just doing their job. So Pace realizes that people do look up to him, and that is why he tries to set a good example. Athletes can be role models. Athletes show us how to reach goals no one ever thought a person can reach. Children can learn from these athletes and form there mistakes that the athletes made through out there lifes. Athletes are only human too, so they are just as likely to make mistakes just like all humans make.

So it is really up to the parents to make sure you discuss with their children mistakes made from the athletes..