As Americans become farther fixated over professional sports, the debate about whether or not athletes are appropriate role models for children proceeds to develop. Athletes continue to become more famous everyday and are admired not only for their ability to play sports, but also for their presentation of character while playing them. However, there are a number of professional athletes who have destroyed their careers, their relationships, their reputations. Various athletes allow the fame to get to their heads. The athletes who have become infected with trouble overpower those who have shown a positive mentality. A role model is a tremendous responsibility, a responsibility that creates too much pressure …show more content…
There is something enticing about the thought of being in good physical condition and being talented in a sport. Several sports stars, such as Muhammad Ali, appear as heroes for children. Ali is widely regarded for the skills he displayed in the ring, plus the values he exemplified outside of them: religious freedom, racial justice, the triumph of principle over desirability. Ali was different than the athletes who, like Aaron Hernandez, lost hold of their career and let their actions take over. He taught children, especially African Americans, to have determination and to be true to themselves. After all, he started boxing at age twelve, and by age eighteen had fought 108 amateur bouts (Oates). All he knew in his life was boxing. He devoted all of his time and effort on his sports career, when he should have been focusing on school. Although Ali was smart in the boxing ring, he was unable to spend time on his education. What would have happened to him if his boxing career did not flourish as it did? Considering he was 376th in his class of 391, life after high school would have been hard if he did not have boxing to fall back on. Athletes who are involved in a sport need to be able to manage both athletics and school. If an athlete were to lose their career and have little education, he or she would not have the valuable skills and knowledge to obtain another