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Do any kids really look up to footballers or other sportspeople as role models?

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    #32
    UCDVet
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,894 ✭✭✭UCDVet


    I'm skeptical.

    I think people who dislike sports are flocking here to tell everyone how rational they are for not looking up to athletes who are just regular people who are good at some trivial activity. And I totally agree with them.

    But the thing is - we're the minority.

    Forget kids - ADULTS - imitate athletes and celebs. All the time. And it is stupid and irrational, but we do it. Look at how many adults are paying lots and lots of money to wear an 'authentic' replica jersey of their favourite player? What about all the sponsorship deals? Do you know why companies pay athletes millions of dollars? Because a pro athlete with their product results in billions of profit. Michael Jordan make Nike 'the brand' to have for nearly a decade. Lance Armstrong sent Trek sales soaring. Same deal with the celebs.

    Adults go crazy for that stuff. And they are supposed to be mature and rational. It seems hard to think that kids would be above it.


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    #33
    kowloon
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 14,196 ✭✭✭✭kowloon


    Heroism is a term that gets applied VERY loosely. I don't think Hero is necessarily restricted to great warriors (think Achilles), I'd be fine with applying it to anyone who puts their neck out to save others or to take a strong moral stance at cost to themselves. Giving up a kidney and destroying your own promising career, I think that meets the requirements for a heroic act. Playing lots of football and getting really good at it under difficult circumstances for what is ultimately your own personal gain doesn't.

    Self sacrifice is a big part of it, getting a place on a team despite having a condition that made it more difficult is definitely a sign of determination but don't confuse it with some notion of the person doing it for the greater good.


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    #34
    Da Shins Kelly
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,047 ✭✭✭Da Shins Kelly


    I'm sure there are plenty if kids who look up to footballers in the big footballing nations. I'm sure there is a whole generation of Argentinian kids who will be looking up to Lionel Messi as a hero of sorts or at least an inspiration. Same could probably be said of Brazil and Fat Ronaldo. Although the current Brazil team are probably young enough to have been inspired by Fat Ronaldo...Scratch that!


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