Sports Athletes: How do they effect us off the court?.
As a young man growing up watching basketball, Michael Jordan was one of my icons. Many people would agree that Michael Jordan is the best basketball player to ever play the game. Just like Michael Jordan, many other athletes have become idols to children all around the world; we see them on television advertisements, in magazines, even in newspapers. While growing up, kids watch these athletes in hopes that one-day they will be like them. These icons represent more than just athleticism; moreover, they symbolize wealth, freedom, and the American Dream. Because of their immense popularity, sports icons are being used by advertising companies to sell products. .
Most kids that watch television change the channel or leave the room when commercials appear on television. To them, commercials are boring and a big waste of time. Many advertising companies, however, would argue this issue. These companies are committed to promoting their products. Millions of dollars are spent just for thirty seconds of airtime and more and more sports athletes are appearing in these expensive commercials. Products such as Nike, Gatorade, Adidas, McDonald's and even Right Guard sponsor sports athletes in their commercials. Michael Jordan, Shaquille O"neal, Tiger Woods, Kobe Bryant, and Allen Iverson, are a few athletes that have all been in commercials promoting products. One specific example, Michael Jordan, has been in a variety of commercials and is the icon of many children around the world. Many people want to be like Michael Jordan because he represents the All-American image. According to Jordan's advertising image, Michael Eric Dyson, a professor of African American studies at the University of North Carolina explains, "Jordan eats Wheaties, drives Chevrolets, wears Hanes, drinks Coca-Cola, consumes McDonald's, guzzles Gatorade, and, of course, wears Nikes" (671-672).
