Athletes forget ‘role’

Recently in the news there has been an epidemic of athletes getting in trouble with the law.

As a freshman in the Mead School District, I have always been really involved with playing and watching sports.

I have always had a couple of sport role models who are professional athletes, such as Kurt Warner and Shaun Alexander, who have taught me a lot about courage and character.

Professional athletes, however, have not always been great role models. While great sports role models are still out there, I believe many star athletes forget people like me are still watching.

An athlete who demonstrates great character on or off the field, court or ice has the opportunity to impact fans in a positive way. Unfortunately, there seems to be a number who forget they are a role model whether they want to be or not.

I wish more athletes would remember the responsibility of being a positive role model. For example, Roger Staubach, the famous quarterback from the Dallas Cowboys, said, “Winning isn’t getting ahead of others. It’s getting ahead of yourself.”

Now there is a role model for the ages.

Nathan Smith

Spokane