Wednesday, September 26, 2007

Do We Look Up or Down to Athletes




Who do we consider role models ? Many children today consider his or her favorite singers, movie stars or favorite athletes. With so much pressure athletes go through should we look up to them or just wait to be disappointed by a childish act.OJ Simpson was an All-American football player and also in the NFL Hall of Fame. He was the first athlete to rush for 2,000 yards in a season. Not only was he a successful athlete but also he starred in movies. OJ seemed like an All-American person. All of his fame on the field is overshadowed by his appearance off the field.

In 1994, he was on trial for the murder of his wife, but later acquitted from the charges in a really controversial case. In 2006, he wrote a book "If I Did It" which stirred up more controversy. The book was about a first-person fictional account about how he would of committed a murder. The book was never released. Recently, OJ was arrested for kidnapping and robbery. He was trying to get back old memorabilia. Was there a different solution? Did we see this coming? Maybe the pressure is too much for athletes.

4 comments:

Stephanie said...

This is a very good topic. The idea of super stars as role models can spark some really good conversations. Its interesting to see what other people think. I know there are a few athletes that i have looked up to since i was little and still look up to today. Some of them let us down but others are prime examples of what we should strive to become.

ehutch said...

This is a great topic. Many young kids do look up to pro athletes as role models. Today as we have seen those role models haven't been doing there part. These pro athletes should value their status and be a great role model anyone and everyone.

Ost said...

pro athletes and individules in the public eye have to make themselves role models because as long as they are in the public eye the public will look up to them

A.P. said...

Ultimately, in any position of power, comes an even greater responsibility. Although athletes may be far more superior socially, they are still people like us. But, because of the notion that they are people like us, we should still respect them and not look down upon them for the mistakes they make. Athletes, like us, have to still owe up to what they do whether they are in the right or wrong. Are they responsible for being looked up towards? No, because they have their lives, values and morales to live by like we do whether good or bad. I believe Charles Barkley put it, "I don't want your kids to look up to me because of what I do". Although, referring to the comment earlier, he still needs, after making this statement, to be responsible for his actions nonetheless. The only difference is that athletes' lives are broadcasted which makes them MORE responsible for their actions because of who sees them or looks up to them. Good topic.