Since the beginning of time people have strived to be the best they could physically and athletically. Sports have always played a large role in society from the Primitive games to Greeks to modern day cultures. Through out time everyone has wanted to be the superstar and the most valuable player. Those who are at that level receive a level of respect and admiration. .
Athletes over the years have developed into role models. They are greatly looked up to by people of all ages. Young and old alike dream of being able to hit a home run, catch the game winning pass of the Super Bowl, or slam dunk. These fantasies lead to the idolizing of a person's favorite sports figures. This admiration causes fans to pay close attention to what they do both in and out of the game. All too often the public is over-exposed to these celebrities's social life and gain information on everything from who they are dating to a severely flawed past. .
A common issue today is if these athletes should become celebrities in their own private life as well. As a society, the people of today hold their favorite athlete to a hero's standard. Ballplayers can become heroes for kids, but it is often taken to the point where they become a role model. Basing their decision on only how well they do while playing a game but they end up taking to all of their habits both positive and negative. Charles Barkley made this point to reporters: "I am a basketball player, not a role model." He then added that that was the parent's job. His is to play a game, which is what he gets paid for. Sports figures are not always possessed of good morals for instance, Charles Barkley once spit on a fan during a game.
When controversy surrounds a player it tends to bring attention towards the ball club. Often parents would rather rely on athletes to influence their children than taking some initiative and actually doing some parenting. .
Asking some athletes to serve as role models is like asking to change who they are completely.