Role Models

I don’t believe professional athletes should be role models.

I believe parents should be role models.

~Charles Barkley

March Madness has produced a massive fever for the city of Richmond.  Both the Spiders of the University of Richmond [UR] and the Rams of Virginia Commonwealth University [VCU] made it into the NCAA basketball tournament.  UR made it all the way to the Sweet Sixteen, when they were defeated by Kansas.  VCU knocked off Southern California, Georgetown, Purdue and Florida State to reach the Round of 8.  There, they knocked off #1 Kansas, and sent them packing.  As I write, VCU is playing their Final Four game against Butler.  Go, VCU!

The city of Richmond has been awash in black and gold – the VCU colors.  Little children to senior citizens are following the team’s every move and cheering on their favorite players.  Children often idolize these young men, and dream of following in their footsteps.  The players become role models whether they want that position or not.  For NBA star Charles Barkley, a great ballplayer and a classic bad boy, being a role model was out of the question.  “Just because I dunk a ball doesn’t mean I should raise your kids.”  He was a firm believer that parents needed to fulfill the job of role model.

Barkley also realized that sports celebrity status often brings those who worship them and the sport.  He has openly labeled some of his fans as worshipers:  “I’ve never believed my critics or my worshipers, and I’ve always been able to leave the game at the arena.”  In various recorded conversations, Barkley has made it clear that although he loves the affirmation and enthusiasm of youthful fans, what matters is who they are, what they are capable of doing, and living a life of respect and honor rather than celebrity worship.  

Train a child in the way he should go,

and when he is old he will not turn from it.

Proverbs 22:6