Feb 11 2009
Role Models?
With the A-Rod and Michael Phelps scandals making the most sporting noise, a lot of people are talking about these athletes being poor role models. Today I want to discuss how fair these accusations are, and whether or not they should even be viewed as role models.
First off, I’m going to pin down the criteria for this discussion. If you want to comment, you have to abide by this limitation: I am only discussing their value as a role model for young athletes.
I’m not judging them on how good of a role model they are for young men, or young people, or people with really good hair, or people over 5′3″. The ONLY criteria for this discussion is their value as a sports role model.
The rationale behind this is that I think this is the only level where we as a society can place these people as role models. It isn’t fair to an Olympic swimmer to be considered a role model for young boys who want to paint, or even just as a good person, nor is it in A-Rod’s contract to provide an example of how to wear your jeans or follow the traffic laws.
So when measured against this criteria, I find that one is a good role model, and one has been given a chance to redeem his failure.
Michael Phelps did not fail as an athletic role model. Yes, pot is illegal, and there is that issue to deal with. But it did not give him an unfair edge when he won 8 Gold Medals in Beijing. As an athlete, he is an inspiration to many, both swimmers and others. He not only has great talent, but he works hard, which is exactly what young athletes need to do.
Alex Rodriguez, however, has proven to be a failure as an athletic role model. He cheated by using banned substances to gain an unfair advantage over his opponents. His enhanced stats got him the largest contract in baseball history. Additionally, when first questioned about whether he used steroids, he denied it.
However, A-Rod has a chance at redemption, or at least partial redemption. He came clean (after he was outed). He acknowledged his mistakes, saying he was young, stupid, and naive. Now, he can become a good role model again by doing three things.
First, he can never use performance enhancing drugs ever again, nor can it come out that he used them longer than he admitted to.
Second, he can never act like he is owed the benefit of the doubt about anything baseball related, be it a Hall of Fame ticket or just that he’s not juicing now.
Finally, he has to accept that he made a mistake, and deal with the consequences without complaining.
If he can stay clean, accept the burden of proof for the rest of his career, and not whine about being singled out, he can still have a positive influence on the young athletes of the world. As long as he makes it clear that cheating and then saying “Oh, my bad, I’m sorry” isn’t enough all there is to it.
What are your thoughts? Phelps and Rodriguez good role models? Unfairly considered role models? Just tired of hearing about it?
