Conservative Sports Corner

In the absence of parental guidance today, children often look to sports figures for direction. What they find is a world of corruption, deception and disgrace wrapped up in the illusion of glory and fame.

Major league sports took off in the United States in the early 1900’s and since then, athletes have been idolized by young men and women alike. The difference between then and now is that kids had the benefit of two parent homes. Morals and values were taught in the home and sports were simply a form of entertainment. With a decrease in family values and a lack of guidance at home, children are turning to actors and sports figures as idols to be emulated. Athletes continue to disappoint.

Sports figures have never possessed impeccable conduct. Since the days of Babe Ruth and Joe Jackson, scandal has existed. They are, after all, human. These days however, television and the Internet allow fans to see their idols in ways those athletes were previously able to keep private.
Over the past 15 years, the fall of America’s beloved athletes has been continuous and unrelenting. Beginning with OJ Simpson in the 1990’s, the integrity of modern athletes began a downward spiral, leaving few role models for children to revere.

Since the embarrassment of Simpson’s trial, sports fans have endured the sexual assault investigation of respected basketball player, Kobe Bryant. Though it didn’t result in his conviction, Bryant was forced to admit infidelity. Jose Canseco's book, "Juiced: Wild Times, Rampant ’Roids, Smash Hits, and How Baseball Got Big," exposed not only his steroid use, but brought down many in Major League Baseball. Michael Vick’s dog fighting indictment was a shocking and disturbing story that brought further shame to professional sports.
Just last weekend, New York Giants star, Plaxico Burress allegedly brought a loaded gun into a nightclub and accidentally shot himself in the thigh.

This is only a short list of misbehavior on the part of athletes. Stories surface on a weekly basis of sports figures behaving badly.

It could be argued that athletes are only responsible for winning and their personal life should be of no consequence to their fans. However, athletes are much like politicians. Scandal and misconduct may not affect the ability to do their job, but as a public figure, they have a responsibility to the fans. Character is not only important, but imperative for people who position themselves in the public eye. Perhaps it’s even more important that athletes adhere to this ideal. Rarely does a child aspire to be just like Jennifer Granholm. Most children, specifically young boys, aspire to be their favorite sports figure.

The respectable face of sports continues to diminish with each scandal that arises. The legacy of athletes like Steve Yzerman and Luther Elliss will be overshadowed by folks like Sean Avery and Terrell Owens unless more stand up sports figures surface in the face of a society of declining morals. Most importantly, young boys need to see that real men have respect for women, animals and themselves.