A black eye for sports heroes

Published 10:16 am Wednesday, February 11, 2009

In the past few weeks, two sports figures have found themselves in hot water. Olympian Michael Phelps, who usually spends his time in comfortable pool water, acknowledged he made a poor choice during a South Carolina party where he was photographed with what looked to be a bong in his hands last fall. The photo was recently published in a British tabloid.

Then this week, Yankee great Alex Rodriguez admitted using a banned substance during his years earlier this decade with the Texas Rangers.

There are people in this world who have done a lot worse than Phelps and Rodriguez, and both are human beings who make mistakes.

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Furthermore, both came out and admitted their faults and apologized for their actions, which is a rare feat in the drugs in sports era.

With that said, however, sports figures are heroes in the eyes of aspiring athletes, the kids who fill their nights and weekends with swim lessons and little league.

Athletes need to realize they are looked upon as role models and perhaps need to think about their actions a second and third time before doing them.

It might also be wise for parents to encourage their kids to look to other realms for heroes in addition to sports.

It could be someone such as Chesley (Sully) Sullenberger III, for instance, the pilot who recently saved his passengers after their plane crashed into the Hudson River.

Phelps and Rodriguez are great athletes who will most likely continue to perform and succeed at high levels in their respective sports.

We just hope this is a wake-up call to other athletes who are considered heroes by youngsters, the ones who aim to be just like them.

At least, as far as sports go.