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The age old question many Americans love to ask is should athletes be role models? The simple answer is that they have no obligation other than to perform to their highest capability for their respective teams. It is our responsibility as parents, or responsible members of society to educate our youth on proper role models. Certainly athletes who use their celebrity to further awareness of certain issues, or live a life of a role-model should be commended. It is easy for members of society who live average lives to point to those who are given media attention, due to our current societal interests, and place blame on individuals living a life in which we disagree. Because an individual has millions of dollars does he or she have any more obligation to be a role model? The answer is no. Celebrities are an an animal quite similar to sports stars. Both groups have millions of dollars and receive substantial media attention. We do not look toward Britney Spears to be a role model for young mothers due to the fact that she has children, money and is in every supermarket tabloid twice a month; nor do we expect her to be one. Society is at fault for perverting the idea that athletes assume a great moral responsibility to further our society for the greater good. In reality, these individuals offer nothing more than athletic superiority.

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