Do athletes bear any responsibility for being role models for children?

      We live in a very sport condensed area with the Boston Bruins, New England Patriots, Boston Celtics and the Boston Red Sox, so if you were to ask a New Englander about their hometown athletes you better believe they will have a large amount of information about their sports. But the question of do celebrity athlete’s bear any responsibility for being role models for children may cause some controversy for many reasons. Let’s take Tom Brady, legendary quarterback for the New England Patriots, he obtains responsibility to convey a good player and teammate throughout his whole NFL season. Children look up to Tom Brady because they all see how successful he is and the life he has made for himself throughout his hard work and determination.  He is also widely known for being married to the supermodel Gisele Bundchen and they have a beautiful family together. This is a good example for children to see because they will understand the family values a good player obtains.

            Unfortunately the New England Patriots has also had the down fall of Aaron Hernandez. This 24 year old has gotten himself in a big conundrum, he is charged with murder and was once am idol for young children in New England. When Aaron was put into jail Robert Kraft, the owner of the New England Patriots, released him from the team. Then later that week any fan who had bought Hernandez's jersey where able to bring it back to the Pro Shop and exchange it for a different player’s jersey. This is an example of a player who really messed up his life, the 24 year old millionaire is now strictly looking at a long hard road ahead of him.  

       Overall if children look up to the correct athletes and follow in their footsteps they will be able to pursue their dreams, and yes athletes do obtain a large amount of pressure for being a good role model for children. If the children wish to pursue in a professional sport than they will have to look up to the athletes who give them good examples. If these children where to reach there goal then they will know to inspire the lives of children as giving back to their community.