Author-LDHendley_APA_PSYCH_Approved_TURNITIN_No Plagary_OriginalWriting Fame, Shame, and Blame in the Game WrittenBy:LeanneDenise Hendley,BACS,ASCAP In an era of our lives; where the media is now capturing and showing the misbehaviors of celebrities, we also find professional athletes being known for major crimes and breaking rules. Those of us who support the pro- athletes become let down when we find they are not the role models we expect them to be. Those who are watching include society’s youth, and this means that the behavior of their favorite athlete is mentoring to those youngsters as being an acceptable behavior which influences how these youth conduct themselves in their own lives. Nothing is impossible when one sets his heart and mind to it. A change can be made for the betterment of society if these athletes will take a good look at the effect they can make for good. A professional athlete requires discipline and strength, which should be used in all areas of their public lives and private lives. We know that athlete’s must be trained to have discipline to stay strong in the sport they represent. One definition of discipline is: training to act in accordance with rules. Being strong and focused is more than just a physical ability; it is also having strength over personal affairs and actions. Athletes are trained by a coach to be skilled with these refined qualities. One of these qualities is the ability to follow all rules of the sport they are involved in. A coach must always be a good mentor to his or her players; teaching them to be ethical and careful of their moral values. Some coaches are responsible for the poor behavior of their top athlete’s. They look the other way in order to keep a high rank and also to keep their teams revenue coming in strong. Many of our top coaches are unscrupulous themselves. We find some coaches to be highly egotistical and are merely in it all, for their own gain. When a teams coach overlooks the discipline action required of his top athlete’s, he is enabling the athlete’s to do whatever they want. This gives them a feeling of being “above the law” in their own actions and outbursts. Then their fans even mimic the hostile behavior by hurting each other in the stands and fighting after a game is over. Many professional athletes are worshipped for the excellence they exhibit in their sport; which leaves their public wanting to know more about them. The media makes them into celebrities and every aspect of these men and woman’s lives become vulnerable to public scrutiny. We all know at least a dozen or more pro-athletes that get the media’s spotlight for something they did against the law. What I would like to focus on are those good athletes, the ones who do not get the media attention. As statistics show, close to 80 percent of pro-athletes are very good people. Tim Tebow from the NFL is a winner of a Heisman trophy and a top award winner for his good deeds in his community. Tim has many helpful foundations and charities that give others a chance to have a better life. Drew Brees is another example of a football player and “super bowl” champion who lives an extremely ethical life. Drew is doing extraordinary things for society’s youth, in need. He’s also now providing opportunities for children to get involved in sports, even in the poorest parts of a town. We hear little about these kinds of athletes, because, the media considers their good deeds to be a bad story to sell the public. Due to the athlete’s celebrity status, their private lives and affairs will be spotlighted. We see poor behavior, bad sportsmanship, and crimes committed on an ongoing basis. Just today, I heard in the news that two members of the NBA were arrested for causing a bar brawl, last night. Many years back, O.J. Simpson was considered to be the perfect professional athlete, very well known and loved by his fans. O.J. was convicted in a civil court for the murder of his x-wife and her male companion. Tanya Harding was a professional ice skater who’s, boyfriend’s crime, injured the ankle of her competitor. It was all due to Tanya’s pursuit of winning an Olympic gold medal. And too many to name, are the pro-athletes who are breaking the rules of their sport, and showing no strength, in their own personal lives. These athletes have behavioral health problems or anger management issues needing a professionals help and care. With the media in every area of their private lives they don’t want to reach out for the help they need. Swept under the rug, the problems fester, as they strive to maintain their high rankings. Therefore, these bad behaviors are accepted by those who model after them. It is becoming inhumane when you think about the way our society places these athlete’s so high on a pedestal. If they fault, at all; we find them on the front page of the news, and falling into the hands of a mighty cruel beast. The paparazzi and the media…just need to sell their stories. There must be a solution to this problem, but what that is, I just don’t know. Hypocritical as it is, the same people who are paying for the media’s gossip are the same parents who are also complaining. They believe that the professional athletes are being poor “role models” for their children. Yet, it should be the parent that is giving the right example. In the words of Albert Einstein; “Setting an example is not the main means of influencing others; it is the only means”. Bill Bradley, a football coach and former defensive back in the National Football League, is quoted saying; “Sports is a metaphor for overcoming obstacles and achieving against great odds. Athletes, in times of difficulty, can be important role models”. Is it possible that the strength of some athletes is also the cause of their own weakness? Is it now shame and blame in the place of discipline and excellence? Does our society believe this issue is right or wrong? Maybe we just want them to win… despite the poor behavior in the public’s eye. We expect indignant actions in their private lives. Is it as if these celebrity athletes are just characters to watch, like a cartoon or a video game? Once the show is over or the game is done, that’s all folks…until next time! And our day goes on without concern, until the next story breaks – we turn our televisions’ back on, “Oh Dear, God”. Professor Sinex - Final Grading Assignment 3 Grading Criteria Maximum Points Included a well-written introduction and specific thesis statement. 100 / 100 Included at least 3 body paragraphs with specific details and pertinent evidence. 200 / 200 Utilized well-formed topic sentences for each body paragraph; topic sentences relate to thesis. 50 / 50 Provided logical arrangement of details and ideas without repetition or wordiness. 50 / 50 Included a logical conclusion that summed up main ideas and thesis. 100 / 100 Revised essay based on first draft feedback. 50 / 50 Wrote in a clear, concise, and organized manner; displayed accurate spelling, grammar, and punctuation. 50 / 50 Total: Your essay’s thesis statement is worded clearly, and your introduction previews the main points of your essay. Your body paragraphs contain relevant information and begin with accurate topic sentences. The ideas are presented clearly and avoid wordiness. Your conclusion rounds out your essay clearly and logically. There are few or no errors in spelling or grammar. As for your question, it really depends! Some students dont like writing the conclusion at all. It was clear that you enjoyed writing yours, and I loved the image you evoked there. Great work! 600 / 600
Posted on: Sun, 01 Jun 2014 13:28:10 +0000
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