Everyone grew up with a childhood sports hero to look up to. Mine was Michael Jordan. I loved the way he graced the basketball court with his extraordinary talent, the way he sometimes singlehandedly took over games to lead his team to victory and the way he always managed to perform in the clutch when it seemed as if the entire city of Chicago had throw its weight onto his shoulders. But more importantly, I loved his attitude and the way he carried himself both on and off the court. His passion for basketball helped me find my own passions, his confidence gave me confidence in myself and his endless determination to succeed inspired me to chase dreams of my own.
Professional sports today have none of the grace, beauty or style that I remember from my childhood. Consumed by their own fame and fortune, athletes have become more concerned with protecting their multimillion-dollar contracts and endorsements than promoting their respective sports and causes. They have resorted to cheating with steroids and indulging in illegal practices in their personal lives. Private interests have all but replaced the passion, the drive and the dreams — that is, the important things that had propelled them to stardom in the first place. Where have all the other Michael Jordans gone?
I always tell my friends that I don't understand how Stephon Marbury can possibly feel justified asking for more and more money to stay on the Knicks' roster, draining the salary cap while he and the team continue to struggle season after season. Or how A-Rod can negotiate a $300 million contract with a new team after yet another disappointing postseason with the Yankees. Or why teams sign players like Ron Artest, who spent most of last season suspended and dealing with legal issues. Or how the NFL puts up with players as obnoxious as Terrell Owens. Maybe I'm missing something here, but last time I checked, athletes are paid a lot of money for a good reason. And asking for more money or getting arrested for domestic violence is not it.
Exacerbating the situation is the string of scandals that have benn unearthed regarding steroid use. Floyd Landis, the dark horse winner of the 2006 Tour de France, was later stripped of his title after testing positive for doping. Marion Jones, three time Olympic gold medalist, recently admitted to using performance-enhancing steroids. Even Barry Bonds, the slugger who broke the most coveted record in baseball by hitting 756 home runs, is tainted by allegations of steroid use. And let's not forget Michael Vick, whose promising career as a star quarterback in the NFL was ruined when he was indicted for his involvement in dog fighting. Dog fighting — seriously? What kind of perverted messages are these people sending?
Granted, there are many athletes who are clean and represent the products of talent and hard work, persistence and commitment they have always been perceived to be. For instance, Tiger Woods and Roger Federer epitomize the model professional athlete. Neither flashy nor overly conceited, they let their accomplishments speak for themselves. So do Tim Duncan and Tom Brady, as well as a handful of other well-known athletes, including David Beckham, who turned down European offers to play for the Los Angeles Galaxy, a move that will no doubt boost American interest in soccer. These are the types of people in whose footsteps kids around the world should be trying to follow.
Professional athletes have an obligation not only to their teams or sports, but also to the millions of children for whom they serve as role models. When an athlete achieves a goal, it is an inspiration to those children. But it also works the other way. Just as Floyd Landis was stripped of his title, aspiring cyclists were stripped of something as well. And what about an aspiring quarterback? A sprinter? If children can no longer trust their role models, whom can they rely on to guide them? To gain confidence in their abilities? To chase their dreams? Michael Jordan was my hero, and I am who I am because of him. Where have all the other Michael Jordans gone? George Xing is a freshman from Edison, N.J. He can be reached at rxing@princeton.edu.
Read More
It’s time to step it up on diversity and inclusion
Christofer RoblesOver the last five years, Princeton never achieved parity in diversity and inclusion for Black students. Now, the University faces a conservative culture and federal government hostile to anti-racism. Now, more than ever, Princeton cannot abandon its students.
Over the last five years, Princeton never achieved parity in diversity and inclusion for Black students. Now, the University faces a conservative culture and federal government hostile to anti-racism. Now, more than ever, Princeton cannot abandon its students.
Class of 2029: Reject selective views of free speech
Charlie Yale and Siyeon Lee"Let us make an appeal to the entire Class of 2029: You can care about viewpoint diversity and free expression even if you don’t read the Tory. As liberals and progressives, you can understand that free speech is an issue that affects everyone."
"Let us make an appeal to the entire Class of 2029: You can care about viewpoint diversity and free expression even if you don’t read the Tory. As liberals and progressives, you can understand that free speech is an issue that affects everyone."
For a more effective USG, train newly elected members on the bureaucracy
Luqmaan BambaFor student representatives to make the change we can through the systems we have, we need a more onboarding process that prepares us to navigate these byzantine processes.
For student representatives to make the change we can through the systems we have, we need a more onboarding process that prepares us to navigate these byzantine processes.