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//  Saturday, July 31, 2010

A Choice, Not An Obligation

Thursday, September 10, 2009
Posted by Ashley Albertson

Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor began an interesting debate last week when he showed his support for Michael Vick by sporting an eye-black patch under his left eye that said “Vick.”  Stirring up controversy both in Columbus and nationally, Pryor claimed he has “always looked up to Mike Vick and always will.”

Obviously many people feel Pryor could have picked a better role model than Vick; however, on the field it makes sense that Vick would be someone Pryor would strive to emulate.  Pryor and Vick both share incredible athletic ability and have been rightfully labeled as mobile quarterbacks who need to concentrate on their passing mechanics.  In an essence they are a lot alike on the football field.

Off the field is a completely different matter.

Mike Vick is not and never should be considered a role model off the field. Sure it’s okay for young people – like Pryor – to admire his talent and respect his game. But it is not Vick’s job to be a role model for the youth of America, and he chose not to the minute he began activity he knew was illegal.  In fact, it is not in any athlete’s job description to be a role model; it is their choice. 

Do we hope professional athletes become good role models? Sure, just like we hope government officials and celebrities will also strive to be positive examples.  Professional athletes understand that there are kids out there who look up to them – they have to.  In most cases they probably find it pretty gratifying; nevertheless, they still go out and do a lot of nutty things. 

NBA player Charles Barkley once said, “I am not a role model. I am not paid to be a role model. I am paid to wreak havoc on the basketball court. Parents should be role models. Just because I dunk a basketball doesn’t mean I should raise your kids.”

Did Michael Vick have an obligation to be a role model? No. Should Michael Vick have been a role model? Of course, but that’s just my opinion he obviously had his own.

What exactly was going through Terrelle Pryor’s mind when he prominently displayed “Vick” on his face? We will probably never know. However, if it had anything to do with admiring Vick off the field then someone needs to have a talk with him – although it’s unlikely that was the case with Pryor.

Vick was wrong in his actions and he paid a price. But that’s his problem. As parents it’s your problem to teach your kids the difference between right and wrong. Don’t expect LeBron James or Kobe Bryant to do it for you.

Perhaps Cal Ripken Jr. said it best, “Should we put players up on pedestals and require that they take responsibility? No. But we should encourage them to use their influence positively to help build up and develop the young people who follow the game.”

One day – perhaps that day has already arrived – Pryor will have to decide what he wants to do with the attention he gathers. As a society we shouldn’t expect him to be a role model, but encourage him to make positive choices.  In the end it’s his choice to become a role model, not his obligation. 

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