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Why sports figures are failing as role models

A question that comes to mind is how in the world do these sports icons fail miserably at being role models. Well, looking at the situation itself, it's probably because of picking the wrong people to look up to and it's ironically in recent years the guys who have been setting records. It's not just in baseball but also in all sports. To be honest with scandals going on at times, you can't really look at those people as someone you want to be like. At the same time, you can expect that to happen. After all, they are held to a higher standard than everyone else. It is natural to expect this and it doesn't make them wrong, just not informed. For these athletes, they must realize that once you become a major star, you are subject to scrutiny no matter what you do or don't do.

Now that doesn't mean we have to hate all sports figures and that's not the goal upon seeing this. Every person is going to have a different opinion on someone like some people like Kobe Bryant and some that don't for example. It's no different and it's a fact of life. But we'll use someone else as a possible example that could have that role model figure that didn't quite live up to the hype.

Michael Vick: At one point was considered or possibly the face of the Falcons franchise and has now become a huge disgrace to himself and the team he was on. At this moment, he is currently in jail for dog fighting charges and it's pretty shallow and pathetic he would associate himself in such a heinous act.

Roger Clemens: Once a dominate pitcher now seemingly a guy with so many skeletons in his closet. He is in the midst of a lawsuit against his former trainer Brian McNamee over defamation of character. Even if he is found to be correct and hasn't been lying, the public will never ever forgive him.

Barry Bonds: Well, maybe not a huge one because he has never intended to be one. Some may look up to him and consider him a great player but this steroids talk and possible federal charges have probably damaged him in all areas that he has support.

Mark McGwire: Once regarded as a major icon and one of the people that was being cheered when he broke the record and made it 70 Home Runs. Now, you don't hear much out of him but he got damaged in 2005 in the congressional trial because of not talking.

Sammy Sosa: Three 60 Home Run seasons are very impressive without question. What put him under fire was the corked bat incident, which was proven to be only one bat and


Below are the top articles rated and ranked by Helium members on:

Why sports figures are failing as role models

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    by Stephen Fortier

    To set the tone for this article I will start by saying that sports figures are failing as role models because they a... read more

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    A question that comes to mind is how in the world do these sports icons fail miserably at being role models. Well, l... read more

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Why sports figures are failing as role models

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