Violence on the field is one thing, it’s like war. It’s the violence off the field that bothers me. Drugs, beating wives and girlfriends.
Many years ago coaches, owners and even movie studios controlled their charges. An athlete or movie star is someone kids look up to. They want to know why there are so many problems with youth today it’s because they have so few heros
“because they have so few heros”
I’m not sure they have so few heroes. I think they have so many that are worthless. When you look around at today’s society you see hip hop and rap people that profess in their material about killing or harming. Athletes, like you said, are dangerous and dishonest. Look at professional wrestling. It is nothing but gang violence trying to gain popularity. I don’t think I have to say a thing about politicians. That destroys almost anything you can find to emulate. All are violent and drug ridden to the point of people make money off of them so they protect them. The media hammers religious groups to include the YMCA and the YWCA. But they stress the protection of the Boy’s and Girl’s Clubs because, in my mind, it caters to underprivileged far more and winning them is votes. Players and coaches and area representatives cheat in little league or kids basketball or football. As a youth official for many years I have had some of the most ridiculous things attempted. And they knew better. They had to WIN!
What could be a good possibility for safe and forthright kids opportunities are anything mot being siphoned for money or destroyed by those that don’t want it to work because someone else needs a way to stay in control.
You know of anything that is safe from that? I don’t now.
rwood