We make them into role models without knowing their real character. It's our fault that happens.
Michael Jordan is a God to many, but a compulsive gambler. Brett Favre is a living legend, but a former addict to Vicodin. Michael Vick was the head of the franchise in Atlanta, and look what happened.
We don't know who these people are. We just see how talented they are when they play the sports that they get paid millions to play.
Take your average human being. Do you honestly think people would act more appropriate, or less appropriate, if you gave them millions of dollars? I'd guess less appropriate. Having that much money probably clouds judgement... in my opinion.
It really is a shame when squeeky-clean people tarnish their images to the world. Like Marvin Harrison is doing now.
Kobe Bryant makes one mistake in his personal life, and he will never be respected again.
Clemens was once a God, but his ego is so big that he just keeps on burying himself deeper and deeper in the mud.
We should not treat these people are heroes, no matter what they do on, or off, the playing field/court/etc.
We need to remember that they are athletes, and are human just like the rest of us, and make the same mistakes that all humans are prone to make in their lives. Some just have more morals than others, or just do a better job at keeping their names from being tarnished.
It's unfortunate that we will never know who the real role models are when it comes to pro athletes.
