Aren't sportspeople supposed to be examples to our kids?

[highlandsflyer]

Bang on Clock!

It is dreaming that makes dreams real.

All of the iconic musicians and artists I love had their heroes.

Without gazing at the stars you may never reach for them.

 

[Neil]

No.

x2
as john says why do people assume they have to be more than footballers?

Because, these days, like it or not - they are more than just footballers.

Football has long since moved on from people who are simply good at kicking around a ball, and being paid well - that boat has sailed.

If they, or others, don't like them being judged as role models, then I guess it's beholden on them to avoid the limelight, and not be so damned stupid, or arrogant, or both, to get caught.

 

[Neil]

But children, why is there a need for them to idolise anyone, can children not learn for themselves anymore, or is that not acceptable in our current business orientated world.

I think it is very healthy for kids to idolize people. It would however be nice if society/media promoted a wider range of talented individuals not just sports and celeb culture bods and looked to the arts and science for amazing people we can all be proud of and inspired to try and emulate.

I see your point, but fear it's idealistic.

Normally I detest the bloke, but I've watched a couple of episodes of that cockney chef guy and his dream school. Now I know his group of kids are somewhat at a certain end of the attention and culture spectrum, but all the same, the writing is largely on the wall.

The hear and now, those that get attention of the likes of celeb gossip magazines, and the whole get-rich-and-famous-by-trying-to-get-15-minutes-of-fame thing has seemingly captivated almost an entire generation.

 

[pigman]

It would however be nice if society/media promoted a wider range of talented individuals not just sports and celeb culture bods and looked to the arts and science for amazing people we can all be proud of and inspired to try and emulate.

I reckon its started. Kids at school where I work idolise brian cox. The ones who met him at a science event in london last week are all raving about it. I reckon the media have caught onto the fact that scientists need to look cool, or have a "rock star" past to appeal to a wider audience. Thankfully the tweedy-jacket professor image is going away.

 

[Neil]

It would however be nice if society/media promoted a wider range of talented individuals not just sports and celeb culture bods and looked to the arts and science for amazing people we can all be proud of and inspired to try and emulate.

I reckon its started. Kids at school where I work idolise brian cox. The ones who met him at a science event in london last week are all raving about it. I reckon the media have caught onto the fact that scientists need to look cool, or have a "rock star" past to appeal to a wider audience. Thankfully the tweedy-jacket professor image is going away.

Somtimes I think that's the problem with the way society is evolving.

So much form over function, and instant appeal.

Some of the archetypal, "tweedy-jacket professor"s are very good at what they do, engaging and hugely knowledgeable about their subject, and truly brilliant, given an audience that wants to learn / is interested in the subject.

Yet for most, these days, it seems a case of using image and a certain degree of gimmick to educate, because attention span and discipline seem to be ever-dwindling.

Don't get me wrong, I recognise the factors that seem to succeed with those that are, say, a difficult audience - I think I just worry that society seems to be ever-pursuing that path, now.

 

[pigman]

thinking about it, I reckon you have a good point in your last post Neil. However, it has always been the case that if a presenter cant engage the public, then much of what he has to offer is lost. Only this week, as part of science week (and our school has a science specialism) I listened to a presentation from 4 university professors. The young guy was the best on the day. He was animated, lively and projected himself well. An oldish (60's) guy was a good spreaker and held everyones attention, but didnt excite. The other 2, who were the most qualified were bumbling shufflers and whilst their subject title had the most appeal (to me), I found myself counting the number of ceiling tiles as they spoke. The point is, I reckon the bumblers probably had the most to offer, but their inability to engage or inspire lost on the day.
Compare this to cycling (forget the drugs :cry: ) we all loved pantani, we were indifferent to ulrich. Lance evoked strong love/hate passions. Character, image and the ability to stir our inspirations will always play a part, whether we accept it or not.

 

[brocklanders023]

Is this the same Rio that 'forgot' a drugs test?? And who held his club to ransom over his salary?

He may have 'forgotten' a drugs test, but he has never been up for slapping his woman around. I have been to some parties where you could fail a drug test just after passive smoking. Rio might have worried about that.

He held United to ransom?

Anyway, I was only mentioning him in relation to the England captaincy versus the wanquer Terry.

Giggs is a living legend, nuff said.

Can't be having this love in with M********r U****d plays. Loyalty???? Where else would they go? They're already at one of the biggest payers and I can't remember too many other big clubs coming in for them.

All this fawning over 'Sir Giggs'? He was just as much of a bad bugger when he was young and I seem to remember him being seriously linked with Inter Milan bitd.

Ferdinand?? I wonder why he 'forgot' his drug test? He screwed Leeds when he left and there were plenty of stories coming out of the city about his model behaviour back then.

Scholes?? Best of a bad bunch, I'll give you that but bottled out of playing for his country.

Don't get me started on Neville. Horrible, horrible git. A limited footballer lucky to find the golden ticket. If he'd have been shipped out like his brother he'd have been forgotten in much the same way.


I've finally lost all passion for the national team after most of the players showed how much it meant to them at the World Cup. I don't think Terry should be captain (another horrible git with loads of previous) but who else would be better? Ferdinand? Was a joke giving peg leg it in the first place and he's certainly no angel. Gerrard? Didn't he just use his cash to get him off an assult charge? Fat Frank? He shouldn't even be in the team. Most of the other players are either too young or not good enough.

The rumour around the World Cup was that Terry caused a load of trouble because those running England knew about many other members of the squad that had been up to no good but didn't punish them the same way. I thought this was just gossip but one rumour was that Shrek had been messing about with hookers. Guess what came out after the WC?

 

[makster]

Is this the same Rio that 'forgot' a drugs test?? And who held his club to ransom over his salary?

He may have 'forgotten' a drugs test, but he has never been up for slapping his woman around. I have been to some parties where you could fail a drug test just after passive smoking. Rio might have worried about that.

He held United to ransom?

Anyway, I was only mentioning him in relation to the England captaincy versus the wanquer Terry.

Giggs is a living legend, nuff said.

Can't be having this love in with M********r U****d plays. Loyalty???? Where else would they go? They're already at one of the biggest payers and I can't remember too many other big clubs coming in for them.

All this fawning over 'Sir Giggs'? He was just as much of a bad bugger when he was young and I seem to remember him being seriously linked with Inter Milan bitd.

Ferdinand?? I wonder why he 'forgot' his drug test? He screwed Leeds when he left and there were plenty of stories coming out of the city about his model behaviour back then.

Scholes?? Best of a bad bunch, I'll give you that but bottled out of playing for his country.

Don't get me started on Neville. Horrible, horrible git. A limited footballer lucky to find the golden ticket. If he'd have been shipped out like his brother he'd have been forgotten in much the same way.


I've finally lost all passion for the national team after most of the players showed how much it meant to them at the World Cup. I don't think Terry should be captain (another horrible git with loads of previous) but who else would be better? Ferdinand? Was a joke giving peg leg it in the first place and he's certainly no angel. Gerrard? Didn't he just use his cash to get him off an assult charge? Fat Frank? He shouldn't even be in the team. Most of the other players are either too young or not good enough.

The rumour around the World Cup was that Terry caused a load of trouble because those running England knew about many other members of the squad that had been up to no good but didn't punish them the same way. I thought this was just gossip but one rumour was that Shrek had been messing about with hookers. Guess what came out after the WC?

I dont think that Giggs is a good role model because he has stayed at United, its because he's looked after himself his whole career. The last time I saw Giggs anywhere else than in the back pages of a newspaper was when he was 17 and dating Dani Behr.
I'm sure that there are plenty of other players out there who live their lives in the same way, but they dont live in the spotlight of playing for one of the biggest clubs in the world.

I hate the way football has gone in the last 10 years. I gave up my United membership years ago from being sick of lining the pockets of blokes who couldn't give a toss about the club.
I take my Dad once a year for his birthday and thats enough for me now.

As for England....I honestly couldn't care less about their results anymore :roll:

 

[clockworkgazz]

No.

x2
as john says why do people assume they have to be more than footballers?

Because, these days, like it or not - they are more than just footballers.

Football has long since moved on from people who are simply good at kicking around a ball, and being paid well - that boat has sailed.

If they, or others, don't like them being judged as role models, then I guess it's beholden on them to avoid the limelight, and not be so damned stupid, or arrogant, or both, to get caught.

do you see them as role models Neil? Does anyone outside the tv and the newspapers really think they are?

It is in the media's interest to project them as more than footballers (as they can then shoot them down from the heights they elevated them to, in the first place) honestly do you really think people in our society are so stupid as to think footballers are individuals we should look to on matters of right and wrong, moral and imoral? I credit people with a bit more sense, everyone loves the scandal sheet stories but no-one then says "if it's alright for "put in your football figure of hate here" then it's alright for me.

 

[Tazio]

Ferdinand?? I wonder why he 'forgot' his drug test? He screwed Leeds when he left and there were plenty of stories coming out of the city about his model behaviour back then.

I'm guessing you're a Leeds fan going by your vitriol aimed at Man U players

It could be argued that Leeds could have gone to the wall if it wasn't for the £11m profit they made on Ferdinand being sold.