A Good Example: Sports Figures as Role Models
|
This article originally appeared in Issue# 36
 |
Do sports figures have a special responsibility to model behavior for others?
Adulation may create a burden for some athletes, but many take seriously the challenge to help youngsters develop appropriate attitudes about life.
Olympic diver Greg Louganis tells the story of a 10-year-old he encountered smoking a cigarette. Surprised, he asked the youngster, Why do you smoke?"
"Because you do," the boy replied.
That was the day Louganis quit.