How much responsibility do athletes have to act as role models? Your favorite player?

[ronniedp23]

They have as much responsibility as they choose to shoulder. That said there is an inherent responsibility solely from their position. The reality is that they are role models whether they feel they are not, just anyone a child sees is a role model. They are successful, in the spotlight, etc. Thus millions see them/look up to them. Whether or not this affects the decisions they make is on them.

The more important concern (says the guy with no kids but plenty of nieces and nephews) Is the influence of the people in the lives of children to impact how those children see events and thus how they look at various potential role models. Train a child to value honesty, hard work and integrity and that is what he will value. Train him to value shiny things and easy gain, and he will value that.

Athletes are on a pedestal. They wield influence in popular culture whether intentionally or not, and for good or ill. Some of them reject any notion of that responsibility while others embrace it.

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[Super Mario]

Always believed they have absolutely ZERO responsibility to be a role model.

Playing sports is their job, not setting an example for your child.

We should be doing that. Not them.

 

[moxacaine]

I disagree with all you saying no or none. As a public figure no matter who you are, it's your responsibility to be a positive role model. Because whether they like it or not they are one.

 

[Juan Gris]

Somewhere between 0 responsibility and what their contract holds them to do to look like good, caring human beings.

 

[joeya2001]

Did you take PEDs too?

I took WED's
Work enhancement drugs!! But they are legal!!!

Mostly monster

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[joeya2001]

Those vacation days don't roll over and can't be sold back...

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It's the price I'm willing to pay to be a all time great

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[predatorkj]

I disagree with all you saying no or none. As a public figure no matter who you are, it's your responsibility to be a positive role model. Because whether they like it or not they are one.

I think whenever you act according to your status, and not who you really are, you are already at odds. Eventually you'll have a falling out somewhere along the line. That's a bad spot to put yourself in. I think it's more helpful for everyone to just be themselves but strive to be good people. In this day and age, you have bosses firing people over facebook and twiter posts and things of that nature and IMO it's wrong. Of course you would like to have people who are professional. But if my doctor goes home and acts the same way he does when he I see him, I feel that is a little weird. Or if the girl at McDonalds acts the same way at home, that's weird. People need to be able to be themselves and be normal. This idea that everyone needs to be politically correct and watch their p's and q's every step they take is starting to get just a little overboard. Everyone needs to have their own ideas and be able to do what makes them happy. I wouldn't stop seeing my doctor or stop letting the girl at McDonalds take my order if their opinion differed from mine or they like to drink and take a picture holding a beer and post it on facebook. Who cares? I would caution and question people though as to why they feel the need to publicly broadcast every minute detail of their lives. I cannot fathom that or it's usefulness.

The problem with athletes is you take people who might not even be the professional type and now all of a sudden they need to act like one of Jesus' disciples. It's just not going to happen very often. People do things you won't agree with and they will also make mistakes you don't like. But in truth it's not really your business and even though the media reports it, it's still not your business. I go to my doctor for my health and I go to McDonalds to eat(which is probably why I go to my doctors for my health). I go to or watch a baseball game to watch baseball. People really should try to keep it as simple as that. Any more than that and you're kind of overstepping your bounds. Not them.

But I do think everyone should always try their best to be the best person they can be. Because like I said, it's the right thing to do. Sitting here scared to death if you break wind the wrong way, everyone will know and be angered is just not getting anyone anywhere.