thesis The fact that athletes are role models does not correspond with the reality that they often get away with criminal acts. The growing trend of finding athletes involved with criminal acts is growing at a considerable rate. Though these so-called role models are in the eye of many, the officials and judges elected to determine their guilt usually let these athletes get off. Athletes, though some of them wish not to be, are role models. They are who we watch in our free time, and therefore we would like to be them. I remember watching the now famous Gatorade commercial touring the catchy phrase embodied in tune. Like Mike, if I could be like Mike, and thinking, yeah, Id like to be like Mike. Michael Jordan is who they were implying, and many would argue that they would love to be him. Since I was a young boy, Ive been involved with sports. I started playing organized football at the age of five, baseball at age seven, and rugby at the age of fifteen. I played basketball for two years in middle school and also wrestled for one of those years. I am what many would classify as an avid sports fan. Sports for me are an outlet. It lets me enjoy something in the way of healthy competition when playing, and relaxation if I attend a sporting event or watch one on television. While watching a particular sporting event, football, I watch players with an admiration of the skills and athleticism that they employ. I pattern myself on the playing field after the athletes that I look up to. This is only on the field. The other ninety-eight percent of my daily time is spent off the field. It is so with the same amount of perception that I pay attention to those athletes who I pattern myself after on the playing field, while they are off the field I pay attention. I pay attention to how these athletes give interviews, or what other hobbies they pursue, or other examples as to what they are doing in their free time. I watch the te...
