I'm not a role model.
Just because I dunk a basketball doesn't mean I should raise your kids.
I'm not paid to be a role model, parents should be role models.
As a basketball player, Charles Barkley is universally loved. His talent and silliness made him stand out from his peers. I was at the Sixers game on Monday night and joined in on giving him a standing ovation after watching the highlights of his career as a Sixer.
Off the court Charles is still loved for his willingness to greet and talk with fans. He will give the time for anyone who seeks time with him. However, Charles is far from a saint. He loves gambling and speaks with a frankness that makes most people cringe. Some people (myself included) find it refreshing, while others find it offensive and ignorant.
Whatever the case, his three quotes stated above, which were given in 1993, are highly applicable in today's sports world.
Just in the past two weeks, two high-profile athletes have given credibility to Barkley's words.
First, Lance Armstrong confessed to cheating (and that's an understatement) after years of vehement denials and threats to any who would accuse him. And what's worse is how the scandal has put into question all the positive work accomplished through Armstrong's charity.
Then Notre Dame linebacker Manti Te'o apparently got scammed by a internet relationship and decided it would be better to promote the lie than come out with the truth. He gained popularity and support for his ability to overcome the deaths of his grandmother and "girlfriend" in the midst of a successful football season. Even as we speak, more details are coming in which only add to messiness of the entire situation. It's hard to believe anyone or see innocence from either party.
Throw in the Penn State scandal, murders and suicides at the hands of former and current players, labor conflicts over dollar bills, and countless domestic abuse cases it is easy to agree with Barkley.
And while there are examples of positive athletes, the general trajectory is negative when it comes to athletes being role models.
In fact, the general trajectory for any popular figure is negative. Hollywood stars, musicians, leaders, pastors, and the like rarely exemplify character traits worth emulating. They tend to fall and very hard at that.
This isn't just a problem for today, but an ongoing problem throughout human history. We follow people we think are worth following. We follow people who seem to have what we lack. We follow people whose lives appear better than our own.
And when they fail, we are devastated for a time. Then we move on to another figure as the cycle repeats.
Instead, we should follow Paul's advice to church in Ephesus (Ephesians 5:1). While parents can be looked up to and respected as Barkley suggests, there is one who will never fail to be worth imitating.
Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
Just because I dunk a basketball doesn't mean I should raise your kids.
I'm not paid to be a role model, parents should be role models.
As a basketball player, Charles Barkley is universally loved. His talent and silliness made him stand out from his peers. I was at the Sixers game on Monday night and joined in on giving him a standing ovation after watching the highlights of his career as a Sixer.
Off the court Charles is still loved for his willingness to greet and talk with fans. He will give the time for anyone who seeks time with him. However, Charles is far from a saint. He loves gambling and speaks with a frankness that makes most people cringe. Some people (myself included) find it refreshing, while others find it offensive and ignorant.
Whatever the case, his three quotes stated above, which were given in 1993, are highly applicable in today's sports world.
Just in the past two weeks, two high-profile athletes have given credibility to Barkley's words.
First, Lance Armstrong confessed to cheating (and that's an understatement) after years of vehement denials and threats to any who would accuse him. And what's worse is how the scandal has put into question all the positive work accomplished through Armstrong's charity.
Then Notre Dame linebacker Manti Te'o apparently got scammed by a internet relationship and decided it would be better to promote the lie than come out with the truth. He gained popularity and support for his ability to overcome the deaths of his grandmother and "girlfriend" in the midst of a successful football season. Even as we speak, more details are coming in which only add to messiness of the entire situation. It's hard to believe anyone or see innocence from either party.
Throw in the Penn State scandal, murders and suicides at the hands of former and current players, labor conflicts over dollar bills, and countless domestic abuse cases it is easy to agree with Barkley.
And while there are examples of positive athletes, the general trajectory is negative when it comes to athletes being role models.
In fact, the general trajectory for any popular figure is negative. Hollywood stars, musicians, leaders, pastors, and the like rarely exemplify character traits worth emulating. They tend to fall and very hard at that.
This isn't just a problem for today, but an ongoing problem throughout human history. We follow people we think are worth following. We follow people who seem to have what we lack. We follow people whose lives appear better than our own.
And when they fail, we are devastated for a time. Then we move on to another figure as the cycle repeats.
Instead, we should follow Paul's advice to church in Ephesus (Ephesians 5:1). While parents can be looked up to and respected as Barkley suggests, there is one who will never fail to be worth imitating.
Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
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