teach us about working hard and believing in ourselves and in being passionate about what we do. So it is unfair to say that an athletes skills aren’t valuable both on and off the playing field.In addition, Telander in the second paragraph uses a hasty generalization and implies that “we are continually let down by our sports demigods.” Also, he uses a form of “mud slinging” (ad hominem) and writes: “It could hardly be otherwise, since our desire to have athletes fill these roles is so great and our scrutiny of them so intense -- and the athletes themselves are so unsuited for such duty -- that failure is inevitable.” Once again I disagree with the writers statement. Still even the greatest champions have flaws. Just because an athlete has the perfect golf swing doesn’t mean he or she is the perfect parent, friend, or spokesperson. Even rich, famous, and successful people get sick and face the same problems other people do. They also make mistakes. Separating and athlete’s professional and personal life can be tough. When a sports star gets in trouble with the law in their private life or makes the six o’clock news, fans are often left disappointed. But many high-profile players work hard to be positive role models to children. They raise money for charities and act as mentors, talking to student groups and volunteering their time to programs that help kids stay off drugs and stay in school. Courage and determination aren’t the only lessons we can learn from successful athletes. Some of the greatest sports figures, past and present, are those who can take their athletic achievements in stride. You have to love a sport to do it and to do it well. But you also have to know how not to get caught up in the glory and the hype, especially when the crowds are cheering for somebody else. Top athletes are constantly striving to improve. Rick Telander makes a clai...
