Athletics are a way of life.

They are the reason we come home late, get up early, and give up our weekends out. I played varsity field hockey for three years in high school, the best part was being elected team captain senior year. The night we lost in the playoffs I remember crying in my car with my parents. 12 years of year round training, blood, sweat, and hard work were coming to an end. The reason I started playing came from watching my aunts play while growing up. For me and many others, athletics are apart of your identity. Athletics are a way of life, and with that, athletes we admire have the ability to influence generations.

Lebron James is an example of an athlete many look up to. My uncle grew up in Cleveland and he told me the reason Lebron had influenced his life so much is that he hasn’t been in trouble with the law, he gives back to the community, and he sets a good example for kids. I asked him if Lebron committed a crime, would it change his view of him? He stated that if it was a misdemeanor probably not, however, if it was a more serious crime then yes, it would change his view of him. Another friend talked about Lebron as well. He stated the same reasons as to why he admired Lebron James. Another uncle stated he admires Tiger Woods. However, he only admires him in a professional setting. He, and many others choose, to separate an athlete’s professional and personal lives.

Now, let's add social media and a 24-hour news cycle. When University of Louisville quarterback Lamar Jackson won the Heisman, the first Heisman any University of Louisville player has won, my friends posted Snapchats celebrating Lamar and the Cards. However, let's put it in reverse. What happens when an athlete commits a crime? For example, Ray Rice’s infamous domestic violence fiasco with his fiance. There is video evidence of the former football player knocking out his fiance. Where is he now? Helping coach a high school football team. Video of the incident with his fiance went viral. So now the question is how public figures should hold themselves. Should the public allow people like Kobe Bryant and Ray Rice to simply just slip into the shadows and continue on with their careers?

Personally, I feel that anyone in the spotlight, while they are human and make mistakes, should make a point to set a good example. While watching Lamar Jackson win his Heisman, my 10-year-old cousin wore his jersey. Athletes have a platform, and a following. Children, teens, and adults all admire athletes. Therefore incidents such as domestic violence and out of control behavior shouldn't be acceptable.