Are athletes role models?

Kobe's mugshot, 2003

“I am not a role model” – Charles Barkley

Sir Charles uttered that simple statement in a famous 1993 Nike commercial (watch it here) and managed to generate controversy with seemingly every North American parent over the age of 35. Basically, it forced Americans (and I guess Canadians too) to look at themselves and ask whether or not athletes should take the responsibility of being role models to their kids.

My perception is that if people outraged by the commercial really believed in their hearts that multimillionaires paid to play a sport (a ball through a damn hoop!) are supposed to be raising what is in actuality their responsibilities, then they are simply lazy parents, or the kids themselves are not in the right frame of mind.

Everyone who is reading this likely knows that I am a die-hard fan of Kobe Bryant. I can recite his statistics from his 2003 season without looking it up. I can tell you I watched the game where he dropped 33 points in the second half to lead a 20 point comeback win against the Orlando Magic in 1998/1999. I can tell you I still have a VHS recording of him getting booed when he received his first All-Star MVP award in 2002. I bleed Kobe Bryant as a sports fan. But he’s not my role model, nor is he ever going to be. You want to know my role model(s)? 

My family. My parents. My dad.

Without getting into it too much, I’ll just say that the difference between an athlete and someone in your immediate life is straight forward. One can give you life lessons, pass on wisdom, and teach you the little intricacies of getting through life; the other can score baskets, film cheesy “NBA Cares” commercials, and show up on the cover of Sports Illustrated.

Athletes are not role models.

What they are, however, are prime examples of the talent blended in with the perfect mindset for success. And this is why I look up to Kobe Bryant.

If you look at all the most successful athletes in their respective fields (currently, guys like Kobe Bryant, Sidney Crosby, and Tom Brady come to mind), you will see a common thread in all of their lives. They were all talented to begin with, sure, but to mold that talent and rise out of (literally) the millions of people trying to get where they currently are is something to admire. I don’t admire them as people - how can I when I don’t know them personally? But what I do admire is their mental fortitude; their work ethic; their determination.

This is why Kobe Bryant is my favourite player. I look up to him as someone possessing the ideal mental characteristics needed to reach the top, no matter what field you are in. This is, of course, a post in itself for the future (note to self: write a future post about why he's your favourite player).

However, my basic premise is that if you approach whatever it is that you want to do with the same fire, intensity, dedication, and work ethic that he approaches the game of basketball, then you will be successful. I truly believe that, and I try to apply that mentality every moment that I can in my life. Of course, not everyone can have that level of mental dedication or single-mindedness to succeed, but it is definitely something to try and emulate.

Ultimately, this is what the transcendent athletes should be revered for – their dedication, their will, their ability to rise under pressure, their work ethic, and their passion for the sport.

Looking up to them for any other reason means you’re simply setting yourself up for a role model who disappoints you.

- G.P