NRL Players - Are They Role Models?

[Kimlo]

I agree, go Phil.
Eliminate risk and it will be game over | smh.com.au <--- Read the whole article here. I'll snip some of it in.

My heroes growing up were Graeme Langlands and John Raper. But they were never my role models. I've never needed another role model in my life while I had my dad.

But before you go slamming rugby league as being a poor role model for kids, what about your parental guidance? What about parents taking responsibility for the education of their own kids, instead of demanding rugby league set the standard for socially acceptable behaviour? If the school principal doesn't like what he sees on TV, then tell the students why you won't tolerate it in your school. What makes you think the game of rugby league should have to pull in its horns to educate your students? And why do our game's leaders so meekly give in to these complaints?
Are you also complaining to the sports of boxing, martial arts, UFC, sky-diving, skate-boarding and BMX bikes? What about car and motor bike racing? Doesn't speed kill? What about blokes who climb cliff-faces or buildings without ropes or harnesses? You want your kids trying these stunts? Are you banning your kids from playing violent video war games, or watching sexually explicit music videos? Or do we simply save our political correctness for the football codes because you're guaranteed to get your complaint on the evening news?

That was a good read. Am I reopening the NRL role model debate? I guess so.

 

[Buzz Killington]

It isn't really about role models more about the watering down of the aggressive traits in the game. He really is rambling in the article but his overall point is a good one. There are far more dangerous things in the world than a bit of footy violence.

 

[Broncoman]

That was a great read I really enjoyed that. People forget there are 2 sides to footballers, when they are throwing themselves into the opposition and training their arses off they are at work making a living which for some is supporting the family, when they are at home they're everyday blokes living life to the fullest.

 

[Alec]

Yeah, I agree with Phil there. When I have kids, I'll be happy if they have players as heroes who they cheer for the most, but I'd prefer them not having highschool tattoo covered drop-outs who can barely string words together as people they look up to as role models.

 

[vertigo]

They are human beings that play footy... live life by your own set of standards..

 

[Big Pete]

The game has come a long way since the days of Langlands & Raper. When you get paid the big bucks to do something you love to do then you have to abide by the behavioural guidelines the club sets.

It's a professional sport, if you can't be professional than you don't belong in the game.

In saying, the players are unfairly targeted and some of the incidents that do get reported are disgraceful. I still remember some absolute fruit-loop of a journo chasing Todd Carney around as he was just trying to get a tattoo. Funny how the media have let up on him since he joined the Sharks. I wonder why?

 

[vertigo]

I still remember some absolute fruit-loop of a journo chasing Todd Carney around as he was just trying to get a tattoo.

That was pathetic, almost as bad as rubbishing Wade Graham for wearing casual clothes to that 'interview'.

 

[Mister Wright]

They are role models whether they like it or not. In days gone by, the players had less exposure. Kids had to go to the game or watch the odd game on telly. Now the players are in footy shows, news programs and advertising anything they can get there hands on. Kids look up to them & want to be like them, not just as players, but as people.

 

[Kimlo]

They are role models whether they like it or not. In days gone by, the players had less exposure. Kids had to go to the game or watch the odd game on telly. Now the players are in footy shows, news programs and advertising anything they can get there hands on. Kids look up to them & want to be like them, not just as players, but as people.

Do they? I looked up to Locky but I never wanted to be "like him" (well besides his playing talents lol), he was just a guy who plays sports. I never even thought as a child that I wanted to live my life like an NRL player or even be influenced by how they live their lives.

 

[Morkel]

Yeah, I agree with Phil there. When I have kids, I'll be happy if they have players as heroes who they cheer for the most, but I'd prefer them not having highschool tattoo covered drop-outs who can barely string words together as people they look up to as role models.

In that instance you can use it as motivation. "You see that guy, listen to him speak. He's not that smart, but with hard work and determination, look where he is".

 

[Huge]

I've written on this before and copped a fair spray for my view that sportspeople are lionised so much. I believe it's a sad indictment of our society that the ability to play a sport well creates a societal expectation for model behaviour . I don't consider sportspeople role models at all because I can see them for what they are, simply people who have skill. Quite often the skill is in a very narrow field of endeavour so I don't understand why anyone would think it bestows some extra abilities and attributes mere mortals do not possess.

It is up to society in general to shift its collective focus and concentrate on those genuinely deserving of the title of 'role model'.

 

[Coxy]

What's the difference between a hero and a role model?
Essentially it's people you look up to, admire and want to emulate.

certainly on field, the fighting ban is important and justified. the off field issues is more about it putting people off spending money to watch overpaid thugs.

 

[Mister Wright]

Do they? I looked up to Locky but I never wanted to be "like him" (well besides his playing talents lol), he was just a guy who plays sports. I never even thought as a child that I wanted to live my life like an NRL player or even be influenced by how they live their lives.

Mae have kids getting Benny Barba haircuts. Mimicking SBW speech patterns

 

[Broncoman]

I still remember some absolute fruit-loop of a journo chasing Todd Carney around as he was just trying to get a tattoo. Funny how the media have let up on him since he joined the Sharks. I wonder why?

Rothfield doesn't have the guts to bag out his beloved Sharkies.

 

[Mr Fourex]

Do they? I looked up to Locky but I never wanted to be "like him" (well besides his playing talents lol), he was just a guy who plays sports. I never even thought as a child that I wanted to live my life like an NRL player or even be influenced by how they live their lives.

I agree.......RL players as role models, Pffftt !!

Back in my day, Rockstars were where it was at!! I had the Bono mullet through most of my late teens

and had a keen interest in the life stories of Keith Richards and Jim Morrison........

They were role models !!!

 

[theshed]

Its a little naive to think that the NRL's main concern over player behaviour is how it impacts the kiddies. Let's be honest, when the NRL has a knee jerk reaction or 'takes a stand' what they are actually doing is protecting their brand. Their big sponsors get annoyed when player controversy reflects poorly on their product. If they could keep this stuff out of the media or the sponsors didn't care then I highly doubt the NRL would act so 'morally'.

As for should football players be role models? Of course not. All human's are flawed and its the job of the parents to point out examples of good behaviour in people as much as it is to point out unacceptable behaviour. If James Tomou gets caught drink driving, explain to your kids why drink driving is the epitome of stupid. If he is on the news visiting sick kids, tell them why its important to be kind to those who are suffering. If you want your kid to have a faultless role model then try to be it yourself (you will let them down at times too).

Footballers aren't meant to be the moral pillars of society, their only job is to entertain us by throwing their bodies into each other as hard as they can. When people (mostly NSW supporters) shut down me giving Justin Hodges a wrap by saying "Yeah, but he's such a dog. The biggest grub in the game", my reply is 'why is that relevant? I want him to win games not marry my sister'.

 

[Je$ter]

Long story short:

Are NRL players role models? Yes
Should NRL players be role models? Probably not

Wanting to be an NRL player as a child doesn't mean you want to be LIKE an NRL player. I dunno it's such a moot point you could go on for days on it.

 

[Coxy]

Protecting the brand is it in a nutshell. Sponsors don't want their brand associated with a guy who fingers chicks without consent in a nightclub, or throws a glass in the face of his girlfriend, or has gangbangs in a public toilet, or....the list goes on.

Right or wrong, that's just how it is. And 24x7x365, NRL players are representing the NRL brand, their club brand.

You can say it's not fair, they're being denied the right to a free life of boozing and whoring like others their age get to do, but that's just part of the sacrifice of being a professional sportsman in this day and age.