| The recent deaths of former NFL co-MVP Steve | | | | the verge of getting involved with gangs. He reached |
| McNair and pop icon Michael Jackson has been | | | | out to that young man named Vince Young, becoming |
| overshadowed in mainstream media by the apparent | | | | a father figure, and helping him reach legendary status |
| flaws and mistakes the two made throughout their | | | | as quarterback of the University of Texas and NFL |
| lives. | | | | Offensive Rookie of the Year, as well as a birth in the |
| Instead of celebrating the lives of these two great | | | | Pro Bowl during his first year with McNair's former |
| men and the contributions they made to society, media | | | | team, the Tennessee Titans. |
| outlets such as CNN and ESPN have ridiculed their | | | | Despite wanting to view athletes as role models, and |
| mistakes and criticized their lifestyles as if the wrong | | | | falsely believing they are flawless, McNair was one |
| they did outweighs the good. Viewers of these | | | | thing that should be praised, genuine. When fans and |
| networks have gone so far as to say we should not | | | | critics view athletes as role models, they should ask |
| honor these men because they were not perfect. | | | | themselves "are they themselves perfect?" If the |
| Truthfully, viewing athletes as role models is a slippery | | | | answer is no, then why should we expect those in the |
| slope. As a society we place too much emphasis on | | | | public eye to achieve perfection in their lives? |
| emulating those in the public eye. Our younger | | | | Although, McNair will receive criticism in death that he |
| generation often views athletes as role models, and | | | | somehow avoided when he was on the field, the |
| we usually place them on pedestals as if they live a | | | | 13-year NFL veteran should not be the one receiving |
| perfect life, when in actuality they are just as flawed | | | | criticism for his imperfections. The criticism should be |
| and human as anyone of us. | | | | directed towards us, the fans and critics. |
| Nevertheless, McNair was indeed a role model. When | | | | Too often in life, we put our trust in human beings. |
| scouts and critics said that a Black quarterback from a | | | | Whether it is in a romantic relationship or viewing |
| small college like Alcorn State University did not have | | | | athletes as role models, we put our faith, hopes and |
| the ability or the intelligence to be successful at the | | | | dreams in the hands of someone who is on the same |
| highest level, McNair, like his predecessor Doug | | | | level as us, and we are devastated when we realize |
| Williams, proved that stereotype incorrect, paving the | | | | that the person we had so much faith in is flawed and |
| way for quarterbacks such as the Minnesota Vikings' | | | | far from flawless. |
| Tarvaris Jackson, an Alabama State University | | | | The disappointment that many feel towards McNair is |
| alumnus. | | | | a reminder that only God is perfect and if we continue |
| When McNair was a member of the Houston Oilers, | | | | to view athletes as role models we must realize that |
| he got a call from a friend who wanted him to reach | | | | their role in life is to perform on the field, but they will |
| out to a troubled, but talented teenager, who was on | | | | never be perfect on or off of it. |
