Do you look up to them? I certainly don't. We know kids do, but then they look up to action heroes, older siblings, friends, celebrities etc etc.
Because someone is looked up to, that does not make them a role model. I can't imagine any parent telling a child to look up to a footballer, or any other sportsperson as a role model. By all means admire their football ability, but if you want your child to find a role model perhaps point them in the direction of a Prof Graeme Clark or the late Fred Hollows & other similar Australians.
At the end of the day AFL players have a gift of football ability, this does not shield them from having flawed personalities.
Because someone is looked up to, that does not make them a role model. I can't imagine any parent telling a child to look up to a footballer, or any other sportsperson as a role model. By all means admire their football ability, but if you want your child to find a role model perhaps point them in the direction of a Prof Graeme Clark or the late Fred Hollows & other similar Australians.
At the end of the day AFL players have a gift of football ability, this does not shield them from having flawed personalities.
Problem is that kids don't have the capacity to differentiate between good and bad behavior - they see a star and they want to be like them. The way footballers act can model a kid, thus making them a role model for that kid. It is not the footballer's choice (the kid sees, the kid decides). Ultimately, it is for the parent to give guidance, no-one is disputing that. Though, fact of the matter is that footballers are in the spotlight and with that comes certain responsibilities. Their actions (good and bad) are widely seen, as such, they should act in a certain way or be punished accordingly (which is how it is and is what has rightly happened to Scotland).
I'm not saying that footballers aren't human. Of course some (even many) will have flawed personalities. I'm certainly not perfect, no-one is. BUT whether or not they should be looked up to is not the point (they shouldn't be - I agree with you there), the fact is that they are though.
If I was to cop the abuse AFL players do, I wouldn't be too happy either. The real problem I had is that Scotland went back for more (when it was all over and done). Fights happen - King hitting someone after a fight is over is another thing altogether. In today's violent climate, his actions were deplorable for any person (let alone from someone in the spotlight).
Too many kids have died from being king hit and IMO it doesn't deserve justification. It happened, it was bad, he is remorseful, he got punished, lets move on. No need to justify what he did.
