Athletes as role models?

[The Original Ape]

I believe an athlete can be a role model. Some athletes should not be considered role models thought. That role model concept came from the media that covered controversial athletes. Whenever the athletes would decline interviews, it angered the media; and their response would be something to the effect like 'he or she isn't behavin' like a role model'. Whenever the media tried to assasinate the character of a professional athlete, they almost always asked the question: "Is this behavior characteristic of a role model?". There a good and bad athletes like there are good and bad politicians. That's my take on it.