Bad Boys, Even Badder Antics

BAD BOYS, EVEN BADDER ANTICS

By Allan Brown

Greg Hardy is certainly not a positive role model for today's youth.

Neither are a now seemingly repentant Alex Rodriguez nor an out of work Ray Rice.

In fact, I would maintain that even the King, LeBron James, or a former player whose morals are of the utmost esteem as Tim Tebow shouldn't be either.

That's not because those two aren't deserving to be looked up to, but because I maintain that our youth's role models, the ones they really should be looking toward for hero status, should be found closer to home.

Family members, friends and even extended members of a youth's inner circle should be setting the standards for excellence that will help our next generation stay on the straight and narrow.

That's what I truly believe.

However, I am not naive enough to believe that are professional athletes aren't, in reality, the real role models that our youth - and, heck, even adults like me - actually look up to.

It's time then that these athletes start living up to the hype.

Many may feel - like former NBA star Charles Barkley - that all they owe their fans in a solid performance on the field.

And maybe that is all they owe us.

But the reality is that circumstances in our youth's real world sometimes mean that those bound by blood aren't actually in their life or aren't setting a good example with their own actions (a fact that is sad in and of itself) and in place of familial ties, our teens, instead, look to their heroes on the playing field, for guidance and to show them the way to act in their own life. Many idolize these players and emulate their every action.

So why can't these stars, who seemingly have it all, start acting like adults instead of pre-adolescent bafoons who have a huge ego and an even greater sense of entitlement?

Hardy, a defensive end for the Dallas Cowboys, is just the latest in a long line of professional athletes who have made the headlines for their antics off the field, as opposed to their performance on it.

And he should receive the same type of treatment that former Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice received for his arrest on assault charges for attacking his then girlfriend - now wife - last year. Rice was not only suspended by the league, he is now persona non grata with every team in it. Why Hardy, who allegedly choked his girlfriend in a rage, last month isn't receiving the same treatment is beyond me.

These are just two of many examples that, unfortunately, I could write an entire book about rather than just a blog column.

There's A-Rod's year-long suspension from Major League Baseball last year for performance enhancing substance use. Closer to home, there's former Tampa Bay Lightning star Ryan Malone's arrest - and subsequent trade - last year for drug possession, New England Patriots' LeGarette Blount arrest on drug charges while playing with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Blount and then teammate Le'Veon Bell both were allegedly smoking marijuana.

You get the drift.

Highly paid - and idolized - professional athletes abusing their fame. The list goes on and on.

And what about Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, who has spent the good part of this year facing public ridicule - not to mention possible suspension - for his alleged part in the Deflategate scandal? Seems like something minor when compared to the above-mentioned acts from our athletes, but it's still worth noting, as the Pats QB may be the biggest role model of them all amongst our youth.

If he's indeed innocent, I apologize, however, it's difficult to believe that he is entirely free of culpability in the Deflategate issue.

As for A-Rod, he served his suspension, admitted his culpability and had a triumphant return to the baseball field this season.

I do believe in second chances.

These athletes are human. They make mistakes. And those who make mistakes, admit them and then learn from them can actually end up being the best role models.

They could eventually turn back into exceptional role models, like I feel Rodriguez has tried to do.

It's up to them.

All of these athletes have dominated the news for their bad boy antics, yet are still looked up to by thousands of young children as acceptable role models.

I think as a society we need to expect more from our athletes. If they disappoint, we need to raise our own standards and look toward those who are more exceptional role models.

Like Tebow and James.

Like good family man Ryan Callahan and exceptional netminder and overall good guy Ben Bishop, both of the Bolts.

Then there's Rob Gronkowski of the Pats. His antics off the field are often silly, yet they are harmless and his charitable work is noteworthy. Or how about former NFL quarterbacks Steve Young and Kurt Warner, who both overcame professional adversity to become not only Super Bowl champions, but exceptional contributors to many worthy causes, while both leading an exemplary personal life, as well.

Since our youth can't always rely on those within their own village to be those role models, our athletes - like it or not - assume that role.

It's too bad they don't take that job more seriously.

Until that happens, bad boys will, no doubt, continue to dominate the headlines.

They will continue to be Under Review.