11% of all high school athletes use harmful drugs. Athletes who are using these drugs are susceptible to serious injuries. They are not in full control of their own bodies, so they can hurt themselves or others. Football is a sport where many athletes are tempted to use drugs. Football has long been known as a physically demanding sport, so some players use drugs to “help” their bodies’ recovery time. The problem with this is that no high school athlete will listen and take the dosage that is medically supervised because they want an upper edge and will take as much as they think is needed to get mass gains. Due to athletes using drugs, there is an ongoing debate over high school students being drug tested. Some individuals believe that drug
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When an athlete puts on a jersey, others look to that individual as an example of how one should conduct oneself. This is especially true in the case of children. They find great joy when athletes show them affection, and they aspire to become an athlete themselves. Knowing this, one can see the effect that athletes using drugs can have on children. Dave Winfield, a veteran outfielder with the Minnesota Twins comments on athletes being role models when he said, "Athletes are a key role model for many people, and they can and should be.” (Smith). Winfield then says, “but in an ideal situation they should not be the primary. The parent should be first, the teacher should be second and then maybe the athletes or other non-family members. You can fit a lot of people in that last category.” (Smith). Winfield goes on to say, "Unfortunately, in this day and age, it doesn't necessarily work like that. So athletes do impact and influence a lot of people, whether the athlete wants to or not" (Smith). This is an elite athlete acknowledging the fact that there are little kids look up to them for guidance and a mentor. If he is using drugs then the little kids will think it is acceptable. He mentions that even if the athletes do not want to be a role model it is not
When an athlete puts on a jersey, others look to that individual as an example of how one should conduct oneself. This is especially true in the case of children. They find great joy when athletes show them affection, and they aspire to become an athlete themselves. Knowing this, one can see the effect that athletes using drugs can have on children. Dave Winfield, a veteran outfielder with the Minnesota Twins comments on athletes being role models when he said, "Athletes are a key role model for many people, and they can and should be.” (Smith). Winfield then says, “but in an ideal situation they should not be the primary. The parent should be first, the teacher should be second and then maybe the athletes or other non-family members. You can fit a lot of people in that last category.” (Smith). Winfield goes on to say, "Unfortunately, in this day and age, it doesn't necessarily work like that. So athletes do impact and influence a lot of people, whether the athlete wants to or not" (Smith). This is an elite athlete acknowledging the fact that there are little kids look up to them for guidance and a mentor. If he is using drugs then the little kids will think it is acceptable. He mentions that even if the athletes do not want to be a role model it is not