Do Football Legends Make Bad Heroes For Children
Are Celebrities And Footballers Worthy As Kids’ Role Models
A 2009 survey has revealed more children have ambitions of succeeding as a sports star then in any other profession.
Millions of youths throughout the UK dream of replicating the careers of football heroes such as Wayne Rooney and Frank Lampard but it is certainly debatable whether modern day footballers make good role models for kids.
Admirable Character Qualities In A Professional Footballer
Professional footballers certainly show some traits of a good role model. Any footballer who makes it to the top of their career has to make incredible sacrifices in order to do so and is living proof that it takes hard work to succeed in life. Their childhood would have consisted of practising, training and playing rather than drinking alcohol and taking drugs.
Footballers also demonstrate the importance of working as a part of a team. In any post-match interview, players will always prioritise the performance of the team ahead of any personal achievements.
Although many footballers are accused of being selfish and overpaid, the Premier League website regularly covers stories of players’ involvement in community projects and many of the top stars even have their own charities.
There has been a lot of criticism of footballers’ role as idols to children after Wigan Athletic striker Marlon King was found guilty of sexual assault in November. Stars such as Joey Barton, Plymouth goalkeeper Luke Mccormick and Notts County striker Lee Hughes have also recently been convicted of criminal activity but these players are very much in the minority. Examples of bad role models could just as easily be found in any other career.
Football Heroes Fighting, Cheating And Swearing
However, most footballers are often needlessly aggressive and disrespectful on the pitch and there have been worries that their unsporting behaviour is filtering down to youth level. The FA introduced the RESPECT campaign in an attempt to curb the high level of contempt towards officials but the effectiveness of this drive has been questioned. Footballers are still seen swearing, complaining and surrounding the referee on a weekly basis.
Diving and cheating used to be an accusation directed only at foreign stars but British players are now just as guilty of trying to con the referee and it seems that today’s footballers are becoming more and more dishonest.
Loyalty is another admirable trait which is noticeably missing from the modern day footballer. A top striker could be the idol of millions of supporters but is still unlikely to consider that for very long should a richer, more successful club come calling for his signature. Honouring a contract is not even a necessary task for footballers these days as many managers rightly fear an unhappy player will disrupt the rest of the squad. Any player who wants to move on will more often than not sulk until they get their wish.
Do Footballers Make Good Role Models?
In conclusion, there are plenty of admirable qualities in the modern day footballer which any child would do well to adopt – but some of the behaviour displayed by the majority of today’s professionals is certainly not worthy of hero status.
Many Kids' Ambitions AreTo Emulate Football Heroes
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