Move over Tiger and Ben, there’s a new golden boy in town. And I have some concerns. I must admit that my contact with him has been limited, however, I believe his selection may be a disappointment for non-athletic reasons.
I have worked with adolescents for decades not years and have witnessed the impact that college and professional athletes can have on them, as role models and mentors. I have watched Ben Roethlisberger’s fall from grace.
As a Miami University graduate, I smiled at the “good man” who prayed with his team at CSU. While I have mixed feelings about an activity like prayer that can ignore some belief systems, I have always appreciated an acknowledgement to something outside the athletes for the skill and grace that brought them to the field or court. Here, I thought, was a role model. I wanted to weep as current events have unfolded for Ben and for his victim, and particularly for the youth who have looked up to him.
As someone who never once watched a golf tournament until Tiger Woods began to play in the “big league,” I have cringed at his entitlement gone wild. It appeared that he believed his own PR. He was entitled to let his own pleasure take front seat above family, above the game of golf, above his own integrity, and certainly with no acknowledgment that a generation of African American youth has idolized him.
As I tuned in to what turned out to be the final game for the Florida State season, I listened to the sports casters as they praised Tim Tebow, making such statements as “I just want to meet this young man in person because he is such a fine human being.” I couldn’t wait to watch him play. My first impression was the view of the bible verses under his eyes. I felt as if I was looking at a billboard in Glendale. Acknowledging or appreciating a higher being for your talent – yes. God on a billboard – discouraging.
The game did not go well for Florida and Tim was interviewed following their loss. The entire interview seemed to be about how hard he would play in the future, harder, even, than any football player had ever played. Where was the team in his comments? Where was acknowledgment of his final game at Florida, of goodbye to his teammates, and appreciation for his coach’s efforts? It was “me, me, me.”
Then, the fiasco with the Super Bowl commercial. Advertisements are for selling. What was being sold? I was lead to believe it was an anti-abortion point of view. I thought the ad was tastefully done but to this day I saw yet another “look at me.”
Even as he accepts his selection to the Denver Broncos, his words are “I will work hard to fulfill my dream. I’m going to be a starting quarterback in the NFL.” Where are the words about how glad he was to be coming to Denver, about the fine team and the excellent coach? I am willing to accept that those words may not have made it to the newspaper as I have been unable to see full interviews.
Tim, the Broncos are a group that needs a team player. More important, the kids of the state of Colorado need a role model that is not a neon sign for “I am the center of the universe.” I beg you – be humble about your phenomenal gifts, recognize that you are not alone on the field and that many coaches and players help you to shine, give of yourself to the community. Be the “fine human being” that you have been billed to be. The kids need that. We all need that.
Sue Harding lives in Castle Rock. EDITOR’S NOTE: This is an online-only column and has not been edited.
