If you have listened to previous episodes of The Greatest Marshall Faulking Sports Internet Talk Show then you know on Pass The Rock I have talked about athletes being allowed to get away with moral transgressions due to their superior athletic abilities. Because of this they continue to make bad decisions and end up in the spotlight for many things other than sports. It seems as though these days the sports section of the news has more scandal than gossip magazines. There seems to be just as many athletes on TMZ’s website as there are on ESPN’s website.

I had a conversation with a friend about athletes and their legal trouble, as well as which athletes give back to the community and I made a statement talking about athletes being role models. He disagreed and believes athletes are not role models, but they are just individuals who have been blessed with superior athletic ability which does not make them role models.

I completely disagree. I know many people will disagree with my opinion but I believe love it or hate it ATHLETES ARE ROLE MODELS! Many athletes are quick to say they are not role models but when they try to sell us any product that agrees to pays them they have no problem with crafting a certain image.

Remember Nike told us to “BE LIKE MIKE.” Many wanted to be like Mike although Mike lined his own pockets while ignoring many social issues he could have spoke on due to the platform he had and still has. (Had to take a shot at Mike.. lol)

The term role model generally means any “person who serves as an example, whose behavior is emulated by others”. The fact of the matter is kids will want to emulate their favorite athlete. Whether we like it or not and THAT IS A FACT!

We are part of the problem. We as a society put emphasis on many of the wrong things these days. Some of us who are adults still act like children and look up to athletes, movie stars, and musicians. We need to stop praising these people and start praising the individuals that really make a difference in our society. Kids used to look up to doctors, lawyers, teachers, firemen, and police officers.  These are the individuals that make a difference and we as adults need to praise them.

I remember as a kid Charles Barkley having a commercial saying emphatically “I AM NOT A ROLE MODEL!” What’s funny about this is I have heard many athletes referencing Barkley’s commercial when saying themselves that they are also not a role model. All that shows me is they were watching Barkley as though he was their role model.

James Baldwin once said “Children have never been very good at listening to their elders, but they have never failed to imitate them.” If we want the next generation to stop looking at athletes as their role models than maybe we should do the same.

James “The Blueprint” Williams aka Jimmy of The War Room