"I am not a role model"

Former pro basketball player Charles Barkley made this infamous and polarizing comment in a Nike commercial in 1993. Throughout his career Chuck argued that athletes should not have to be concerned about how their actions influence children. He also posed the question, "A million guys can dunk a basketball in jail; should they be role models"? I disagree with his simplistic opinion but I do respect his transparency and admittance to not being a model citizen. His message has never been so resonant.

I was flipping through the sports page in the newspaper yesterday and was disturbed by all of the negative press surrounding professional athletes. For instance:

• New York Yankee Alex Rodriguez busted for taking steroids


• Baltimore Oriole Miguel Tejada facing charges for lying to Congressional investigators


• Olympic sensation Michael Phelps hitting a bong at a frat party at the University of South Carolina


• This headline is a bit older but it's my all-time favourite... New York Giant Plaxico Burress accidently shooting himself in the leg with the gun that he snuck into a night club

I am not going to cast judgement on these athletes for their actions. I feel that if you want to take a risk, you understand the consequences and still feel that your actions are prudent then go right ahead. But I do have a problem with them making millions from endorsements through companies such as Nike, Gatorade and Speedo. If athletes are going to cash these cheques they are accepting a duty as a role model. Whether they like it or not there are millions of young children who emulate them.

Professional athletes are not heroes or soldiers (let's reserve these terms for Nobel Peace Prize winners, war veterans, brain surgeons and benevolent volunteers). They are human beings who are exceptionally gifted at their craft and have worked hard to get to where they are. In our society we unnecessarily put this group on a pedestal. They look good and have the money to do what everyone else wishes they had the opportunity to do. But we must remember that they are in the limelight for one reason only: their talent. There are some professional athletes who do all of the right things by giving back to the community and acting appropriately but they are few and far between. We must hype up these individuals who 'get it' so that they are recognized and rewarded for their good deeds. Hopefully over time there will be pressure on others to do the same. Take home message = instead of idolizing someone who hits a baseball 500 feet, has big biceps or a 50 inch vertical jump pay attention to those that truly make the world a better place.

* Update on Charles Barkley.