Extra Innings with Hugh O'Donnell

Pro-athletes magnified in the media

Pro-athletes shouldn’t be seen as role models for America’s children

We live in a time that is largely dominated by the media. Throughout America the media’s presence in our homes becomes greater all the time with 24- hour news channels, daily newspapers, and countless hours of SPORTSCENTER airing continuously on both radio and television. Always in search of a story, the media has put pro athletes under a magnifying glass, infiltrating every aspect of their lives. This scrutiny has raised the question of whether or not these athletes should be given the burden of setting positive examples for America’s youth.

Personally, I think it is unfair to expect pro athletes to be impeccable role models for our children. Many parents claim that their children have idolized their favorite sports players to such an extent that they even emulate their negative and sometimes criminal behavior. It is my opinion that if parents were impeccable role models for their children then the children wouldn’t reach out to athletes to fill this void. It is not the athlete’s responsibility to raise our children.

When they discover a player’s wrongdoing, that story becomes the headlines for newspapers and the news eveywhere. Look at the coverage of Allen Iverson’s controversial arrest.

Instead of highlighting a player’s mistakes, the media should focus its attention to promote the more positve projects that many athletes participate in.

Not only would this force feed our children with positive influences, but it would also be easier for the media. It is a common misconception that pro athletes have a higher criminal tendency than the general population. Research has shown this to be completely untrue. In fact, if anything, the athletes are less likely to commit a crime than people with a similar background.

Professional athletes may have some flaws, but, as a group, being criminals is not one of them.