Image of Athletes

Athletes, Athletes, Athletes….sex scandals, guns, dog fighting, abuse, murder, and addiction, is that all there known for? Athletes are human beings just like us, we all make mistakes. I do think athletes need to realize they are in the public eye. Your image can make or break you. Kobe Bryant was a part of a sex scandal, and what happened? He lost his major endorsements. Kobe gets accused of rape and a law suit is filed against him. Slowly we saw a new attitude, better skills, a new Nike contract, and a videao game endorsement. Then we have Gilbert Arenas who pulls a gun on his team mate and gets suspended for the rest of the season. Magic comes out in the 1980’s and says he has HIV. Just think of all the thoughts that went through people heads. Michael Phelps, Americas GOLDEN CHILD, is caught drunk driving, and caught on camera smoking weed and what happens to him, NOTHING. This just shows that everyone loves a winner. Michael Vick serves time for dog fighting and Marion Jones serves time for steroids. Athletes need to stand up as men/women and take ownership for their faults. They ask to be in the position they are in. It’s not like fans say come play this sport so I can like you. Although, there is a lot of controversy with athletes, no one talks about the good they do. Did you know Kevin Garnet paid for his friends to go to college or Doug Fluite gave half his signing bones to charities? Numerous of athletes have foundations, read to children, pay medical bills for kids, and make people dreams come true. At the end of the day we are all human but, athletes cannot play sports forever. Maintaining an image is important because an athlete just might have to get a another job like coaching or commentating. Once again your image can make you or break you!