Pubdate: Wed, 04 Aug 2004
Source: Tullahoma News (TN)
Copyright: The Tullahoma News 2004
Contact: 
http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=49033&BRD=1614&PAG=461&dept_id=161070&
Website: http://www.tullahomanews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2031
Author: Jonathan Boylan, Sports Editor

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.
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MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart