"I am not a role model" -- Charles Barkley

Former NBA star Charles Barkley once uttered these words.  I beg to differ.  Whether athletes grasp this or not, they are role models, whether for good or ill.  Parents are role models for their children.  Supervisors are role models for their direct reports.  We all have role model responsibilities, even sports figures who are so visible in today's society. 

Here's an excerpt from Bob Costa's eloquent eulogy of the late, great Mickey Mantle (I know he was a Yankee). 

"Mickey Mantle had those dual qualities so seldom seen-exuding dynamism and excitement, but at the same time touching your heart-flawed, wounded. We knew there was something poignant about Mickey Mantle before we know what Poignant meant. We didn't just root for him, we felt for him.

Long before many of us ever cracked a serious book, we knew something about mythology as we watched Mickey Mantle run out a home run through the lengthening shadows of a late Sunday afternoon at Yankee Stadium.

There was a greatness about him, but vulnerability too. He was our guy. When he was hot, we felt great. When he slumped or got hurt, we sagged a bit too. We tried to crease our caps like him; keel in an imaginary on-deck circle like him; run like him, heads down, elbows up."

I would say that the great Mickey Mantle was a role model.

Yes, our sport heroes are role models.  I just think that many have forgotten their social responsibility admid their wealth, fame, lavish lifestyles.