scschroc@mavs.coloradomesa.edu

The sports world has never had the cleanest reputation. Ray Lewis’ involvement in a murder case, Pete Rose falsifying income tax returns. Randy Moss has spent time in jail on several different occasions, and Lance Armstrong’s recent confession of using illegal drugs to become the world’s most decorated cyclist.

There are countless professional athletes that have been criminally involved and with the advancement of media, professional athletes’ private lives are becoming not so private.

With no secrets in athletes’ misbehavior, should they be looked up to?

As Charles Barkley once said, “Just because I can dunk a basketball doesn’t mean I should raise your kids.”

Barkley is right and wrong. I believe role models should be people within a young person’s life, such as parents, teachers and mentors. However, whether athletes like it or not, people still look up to them and they should have some moral obligation to be a positive image. They have the public position and means to influence.

Yes, there are athletes who do drugs and commit crimes, but that doesn’t mean the thousands of other athletes are criminals. Just like the poor conduct of some police officers or ministers doesn’t suggest everyone else is a crooked cop or molests children.

There are more athletes doing good things in society than there are doing bad things. Many athletes have their own charity foundations or contribute regularly to others. Athletes can also use their standing to simply say positive influential things.

For example, former heavyweight boxing champion Lennox Lewis, amidst an outburst of domestic abuse in America, said, “Real men don’t hit women,” and helped change the perception of masculinity.

Many young people ignore and tune out the tangible people in their lives and refer to superstars, who should be inspiring people to do well.

The world is in constant need of positive images and athletes have a great opportunity to use their fame for good.