There has been quite a debate about whether athletes should be considered role models or not. They shouldn’t have to be. On the other hand, people choose their own role models.

Sports figures are highly regarded and are appreciated by many fans, but some do things that they shouldn’t. I’m sure that they probably regret those decisions themselves and would advise their fans not to make the stupid decisions they have made, because they didn’t have a good outcome.

Would you really want to look up to someone who did drugs? I know I wouldn’t.

Sports figures and celebrities should at least attempt to set a good example for their millions of fans. They should also get punished for what they do wrong, and they do. It’s not like they get away with criminal acts and don’t get punished. They are just the same as you and me and they deserve to be treated the same.

Some people think that athletes are perfect and never, ever mess up on anything, but that’s most certainly not true. Athletes shouldn’t be held to a higher standard. Nobody’s perfect and everyone makes mistakes.

Do we have to look up to someone who does that? I don’t think so.

People can look up to movie stars and professional athletes, but which ones should we look up to? The ones who do drugs and bad things? Or the ones who are known to give a lot of money to charity or who are known for being good at their sport?

It’s up to us to be more thoughtful about whom we choose to be our role models.

Teagan Galway