PROFESSIONAL ATHLETES NEED TO REALIZE THEY ARE ROLE MODELS

There has always been a debate on whether or not professional athletes are
role models.

The infamous Charles Barkley commercial where he reminds everyone, "I am
not a role model," comes to mind.

Teachers, preachers and parents would be the only role models the younger
generation looked up to in a perfect world. Big problem though, we do not
live in a perfect world-not even close. Children look up to those that are
glorified by the media, such as musicians and athletes.

This week I was reminded of how stupid some professional athletes really
are. I bring forth Exhibit A-Ricky Williams. Williams walked away from a
five-year NFL career to greener pastures, literally. Williams, who failed
his third drug test since being in the league, did not think the drug
testing policy was fair. So bye, bye Ricky.

Williams decided he would rather hang out at Grateful Dead concerts and
take tours with his running mates Lenny Kravitz and Willie Nelson. After
all Williams said, "it is just a herb." That is a brilliant statement, Ricky.

Maybe it was time for Williams to go. Maybe all those hits to his head were
getting to him making statements like that. It is just sad to think someone
could turn down a lucrative contract just so they could appease themselves
for a few moments with drugs. The bad thing is he had no remorse at all. He
went as far to say his drug use was better for him than Paxil, which he was
taking for his social anxiety disorder.

So Williams leaves his promising NFL career for recreational drug use. The
sad thing Williams could have been a great back, but I will best remember
him for posing on front of an ESPN: The Magazine cover in a wedding dress.
I am sure his mother was proud. Maybe you can check Ricky out next year at
Bonnaroo.