It's amazing to think that popular athletes were once great influences on and off the field. Those days are long gone.

Recently this week, after Odell Beckham Jr’s arrogant actions in the New York Giants’ win Sunday, I started to think of the examples athletes are setting for their fans -- primarily the many kids that watch their every move on T.V. All I could conclude was that athletes in the 21st century are all but role-models for children.

Let's take Stephen Curry, for example. Curry is one of the nation's most popular -- and recently successful -- athletes. Just about every kid who has at least remote knowledge on sports knows who Curry is -- and what child wouldn't want to be Steph Curry?

That's exactly the problem.

What kids are seeing and emulating are Curry’s arrogant, full-of-himself temperament. Taunting other players and celebrating like it's the first time you've done something every time you do it is not a good way to be a role-model.

Unfortunately, it doesn't end there.

Take former Patriots tightend Aaron Hernandez for example. Once someone that many kids idolized, Hernandez was convicted of murder in 2013, letting everyone who idolized him down. Think of the influence that has on all the kids that watched him. Their idol was a murderer.

There are other examples, too. How about all the MLB stars, like Alex Rodriguez, who took Performance-Enhancing Drugs (PEDs). When every kid who likes baseball is watching their idol mash homer runs, little do they know, he’s cheating. What kind of example does this set for them? That it’s OK to cheat as long as you don’t get caught and are “cool” about it?

Finally, think about the example that olympic swimmer Ryan Lochte set this summer. His stunt -- making up a lie about being robbed while in Rio -- cost him millions of dollars in endorsements and a hefty suspension from the U.S. Swim Team. But not only did it cost him those important things, it cost all the kids who admire him.