Athletes Don’t Realize Their Influence

Dennis Rodman showed up at a signing for his new book dressed in drag. His hair sees more color than my bowl of Lucky Charms.

Albert Belle chased down a group of trick or treaters who, yes, did egg his house. But I hardly think a goblin under the front wheel will solve anything.

Michael Irvin was arrested when he was caught with a woman who possessed cocaine. Not only that, but he was also caught on tape after the arrest buying more cocaine. After the arrests, he blamed the negative press on the media.

Is there any reason for this? Why don’t famous athletes accept any responsibility for their actions? Where have the days gone of sportsmanship, respect and athletes being role models?

Athletes seem to be most concerned these days with personal records and their market value. It hasn’t always been that way. Ted Williams was hitting .400 going in to the last game of a double header on the last day of the 1941 season. His manager asked him if he wanted to sit out, guaranteeing his place in history. Ted refused, and went four for six in the last game and ended up hitting .406.

Cal Ripken played in game 2,131 last year and, in the fifth inning, took a victory lap around the field to celebrate an “unbeatable” record. If only every team had a Cal Ripken. Most people can’t go to work for the equivalent of six straight years without missing a day or two.

Instead of work ethic, we see deterioration in sports. Brett Butler, who chewed smokeless tobacco early in his career, saw a youngster trying to mimick him with his bubblegum. He made a deal with the boy: if the child would quit then, so would Brett.

After three years of chewing, Brett quit. It was too late for him, though; he was diagnosed with throat cancer earlier this year.

Even in high school, sports conduct is questionable. A golfer at this year’s district championships picked up his ball at the 18th hole and was disqualified because he didn’t want to post his high score.

I just wonder if some athletes know how much young children look up to them and want to mimick them. How many times have you pointed toward the fence in the hope of hitting a homerun as Babe Ruth did more than 50 years ago?

Charles Barkley seems to think that it’s as simple as declaring he is not a role model and doesn’t want to be one. I’m sorry, Chuck, but there are unwritten rules and, while being an athlete, you are a role model.

So now it’s up to my generation to save sports. There can be no more labor disputes, no more whining and more accepting the responsibility of the position athletes are in. If you want to be an athlete and make more money than brain surgeons, then freely sign autographs without charging the fans who make you their hero. Play when you’re hurting.

If athletes really want to be athletes, they must love the sports they play. I think Ernie Banks, the Hall of Fame shortstop for the Chicago Cubs, said it best when he said, “Let’s play two.”