upon as role models by their fans. Does an athletes’ responsibilities pertain solely to his

performance on the field of play or does it also extend to his personal life as well? There

are many who claim that it is wrong for a sophisticated society to impose a set of

behavioral expectations on fallible people who just so happen to excel in sports. Some

players themselves agree with the fact that they do not and don’t expect to be considered

role models, such as stated at a press conference by Charles Barkley

(www.yaleherald.com/archive/xx/9.8.95/sports/mantle.html). It is my argument that

athletes are not only role models but, in today’s media driven world, it is their

responsibility to exhibit extraordinary judgment and exemplary actions off the field as

From the beginning of time, man has looked outside of himself for examples of strength,

leadership, and guidance. For heroes. Perhaps it is an acknowledgement of a human flaw.

Even the mythological gods possessed powers beyond those of mortal men. Legends are

told of men with superhuman strength, endurance, and wisdom. So

for the public consumption. And, because the gossipy part of human nature seems to

even if it's for our own selfish needs. Therefore, as long as we're a society where a

excellence. For example, I myself am a baseball player. When I look up to professional

had while being a professional athlete. This is the first time anyone had ever exposed this

Some topics in this essay:
Branch Rickey, Griffith Joyner, Harris Jackson, Charles Barkley, Paul Bunion, Griffey Jr, Models Lately, Mantle Yankee, Jack Dempsey, Jim Bouton, role models, sports figures, baseball player, black sox scandal, jackie robinson, human flaw, athletes role, sox scandal, public’s eye, athletes role models, reporting events, branch rickey,