Guys like Blake Ferguson, Todd Carney and Josh Dugan all made stupid decisions and hit rock bottom after being stars.
The notion of a role model revolves around the idea that one’s action, stardom and success should be emulated on the field by kids.
I am not saying we remove the idea of role models completely but rather we change the concept. Children should be seeing all these stars as examples, not role models.
Growing up, I looked up to guys ranging from Clinton Schifcofske to James Maloney more recently, however I never tried to emulate their behaviour on the field. I took pieces of their game and tried to integrate it into the way I played.
I was not looking at becoming the next Andrew Johns or Brad Fittler, but rather a better version of them. Something that made me stand out from the crowd – being the very best on the field.
Young children should not be emulating their favourite stars but rather picking out the good points of their game and putting it into their own. Parents should not be discouraging their children from looking up to guys like Blake Ferguson completely but instead making him an example of the type of player they want to be.
They should be telling their children that he is a good player with tremendous upper body strength and versatility who has had demons with drinking.
If their child loves Blake Ferguson, let them love him as a player but instil the message that they should not only reach his level but strive to go far and beyond that point.
m571061
Roar Rookie
I can understand that sports stars may not see themselves as role models, and as the article suggests responsible parents may be able to highlight the good and not so good behavior to children. I do have a concern that the poor behavior of sports people may influence those children who are most vulnerable in our society, for instance those children with poor or absent guidance from parents, carers, relatives and friends.
Dylan
Roar Pro
True. But players like Dugan, Ferguson and Carney do make it very easy for them.
clipper
Guest
In other words - do what you want as long as you don't get caught out by that demon media. Perhaps we should tell the kids to aspire to sports stars that show respect on and off the field / court. Guys like Federer, Kallis, Ablett, Rafter etc - do they ever get demonised?
fiver
Guest
It seems to be the media that asks football players to be role models just so they can tear them down later. The media in this country is truly pathetic.
KB
Guest
They could be telling the truth to their kids..that the MEDIA social or otherwise is the REAL demon..