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Over the last several years, the NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll has chronicled a decline in the public's attitude about key institutions.
Fewer Americans have confidence in the U.S. Supreme Court, corporations, the federal government and the news media than they once had.
But the most recent NBC/WSJ poll highlights another American institution that has lost its luster: the sports athlete.
According to the survey, only 42 percent of adults believe that athletes are good role models for children, versus 48 percent who disagree.
Why those numbers are so jaw-dropping: When another poll asked this exact same question in 1982, a whopping 75 percent of respondents said athletes are good role models, while just 19 percent said they weren't.
"That is a profound change over a generation," said Republican pollster Bill McInturff, who co-conducts the NBC/WSJ poll.
Of course, it's not difficult to explain the change. Just think about all of the scandals over the last few years involving performance-enhancing drugs or sex. Lance Armstrong. Barry Bonds. Tiger Woods. The list goes on.
And so does the decline in another American institution.
The NBC/WSJ poll was taken Feb. 21-24 of 1,000 adults (including 300 cell phone-only respondents), and it has a margin of error of plus-minus 3.1 percentage points.
Leave a Comment:
Nothing "jaw dropping" about it when professional sports has become a breeding ground for doping, homophobia & plain old bad behavior...
Oscar Pistorious - Lance Armstrong - Roger Clemens are just a few who come to mind.
If I had young children, I certainly would not allow my kids to look up to any of these over-paid, cheats!
Hurry, the period is going to go away!!!!
Enough said! Listing my favorite all time athlete - Mohammed Ali.
And Obama spends valuable tax payer money and spends time away from his family to play golf with one of the biggest sports icon on the planet in recent years that is a leader in bad role models. Fore More Years how sad.
But it is appropriate -- Bad role model for a president playing golf with a bad role model for an athlete.
@Lil Michelle -- you might want to learn how to spell your favorite athlete's name properly.
Looks like the stock markets thinks the Obamaquester is a good thing.
The Dow has reached its all time ever intraday high today.
The S&P 500 and NASDAQ are up significantly also yesterday and today.
Sucks to be a mental masturbater like David Wanker, or generally, any lefty liberal who hates capitalism, which is to say ALL lefty liberals.
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (all the way to the bank)
Life is good.
Enjoy.
(or, if you are a lefty liberal, at least try to be less miserable)
ugh! I didn't think it looked right, but then I prefer him as Cassius Clay.
"Muhammad Ali" - correction made
It's difficult to make a comparison to today's athletes and those of yesteryear.
I have to wonder if everything were the same if the athletes of many years ago would be viewed much different.
I agree that many athletes have tarnished sports in general by using performance enhancing drugs. It is out of control. But it isn't just that.We constantly hear/read about some athlete's personal life and behavioral problems that once weren't talked about with such media attention. If there had been "instant" media coverage back in the days of DiMaggio and others (not to say anything against him) would there be much difference in how the people view athletes now and then? Just asking..........
Well, gee, Ben then if you are going to call someone out on spelling, I guess I just can't let it go that you seem unable to spell the word "four" as in "four more years."
nomoresameo
Actually, I think the athletes of yesteryear had their problems and missteps and as you say, they just didn't get the coverage they do today.
The biggest thing that is different today is the desire and love of the game. It is all about money, bling, sports cars, arm candy, and attention. The oldies did it because they loved what they did. They had true passion to be the best at what they did because of it. The money they got paid was peanuts compared to athletes today. Even in the comparison dollars of the times they played in. It has become big business entertainment rather than the true showing of the desire to win and be the best.
Oh and by the way Joe in Albany, did you also see where we are to hit an all time high in tax revenues this year? $2.7T. Not since 2007 has it been even close to that. And we still are going to run a $1.8T deficit. What about cuts don't they understand?
And AG, I think the fore was intentional as in what you yell if your golf shot is on the way to hitting someone.
Holy sheesh Alaska Girl are you that slow??? Golf, Fore (when you tee off) and Obama. It's a very clear analogy and play on words. You need to put a putter in your pie hole.
@Talk -- the left won't touch that one. And they want to ask for more taxes. Hmm weren't we under the Bush tax cuts????? LMAO.
Oh, my, so sorry Benjie, not everyone is into golf. I have no idea what "fore" is let alone what "birdy" is supposed to mean. Yeah, I missed the analogy, but you sure didn't miss your chance to degrade me did you? Typical.
Hey Joe, Life be Irie.
'I am not a dictator, I am president of the U.S. of A'
Felt the need to clarify
more like a wood
you didnt miss your opportunity to correct what you thought was a misspelling...to degrade...hypocrite much?
you in Jamaica man? stay away from the ganja (sp?) Went there on my honeymoon... beautiful buy only Red Stripe or Heiniken
The sports athletes. Hmm. I agree, certainly no surprise.
I have taken a few years off of baseball (first time in my life) because of my disgust with my local baseball team and the players we had on the team. But I have to say - I sure do miss baseball. Terribly.
Keith Olbermann had a fantastic interview last week over the Honus Wagner baseball card. It was just so good.
Supreme Court - no surprise there either. Watching Sandra Day O'Connor last night on Rachel's program was perhaps a window into how the Supreme Court will opine on the Voting Rights Act. She said the justices do not take in account popular opinion. Not good.
The mainstream meda - no surprise as it was a long time coming with people quite disappointed in the inside the beltway crowd.
The stock market is way way way up. I would think that would be an important story considering how the rest of the people are doing. Which isn't good.
The GOP will only take care of the wealthy among us.
That is a story that should be told 24/7.
History repeats itself. Over and over and over. While the media sleeps.
From the article above:
US Supreme Court has majority of Republicans.
Most Corporations are run by Republicans.
Most News Media Corporations owned by Republicans.
Americans confidence has wained because of all the Republican A-holes screwing America up.
Simply put, the majority of Americans HATE Republicans and never will trust them.
Salud
Pat, I watched that interview Rachel did, and felt that Justice O'Connor was being somewhat disingenuous, especially on the subject of election 2000. The lady would have us believe that it was all the usual ho hum case before them and never thought about its affects, that's hard to believe no matter which side of the aisle one sits on.......it was another PR view to sell her book. She went down a few notches in my admiration.
im not in Jamaica...just want to piss the libs off with good vibes.
yeah uh huh....LOL...sure Thomas Grand...which is blacker by the way, the pot or the kettle
SALAD
I normally do not pick on a post without offering something of substance in response but #1.14 is so patently ridiculous reason fails me.
C'mon, man. No amount of saluding makes gross, unsubstantiated generalizations OK.
Sigh.......
Gingerbread Mamma: I so agree with you on the interview. I didn't care for her at all. Very cold in her answers. I don't think she appreciated Rachel's questions on the 2000 election. I went and looked up her record and what did stand out was that she never warmed up to Clarence Thomas, but she has voted pretty conservative nevertheless.
Hysterical on the call out on LilM after "her" pet peeve this morning about spelling!
Talk . . .
Say what you will about the athletes YOU follow but let's not go lumping every athlete into one basket. I had season tickets to the Jazz in the early 90's and grew to really admire those on the team. Lately the only team I do follow closely is my beloved Saints. Drew has stepped up and done quite a bit for his teammates.
http://larrybrownsports.com/football/drew-brees-paying-for-saints-workouts/66682
And this . . .
Defines every single Saints player TODAY! Our coach took his "sanction" in stride. Wish some of the other coaches had that much class.
Well, no one has had any confidence in House Republicans for some time now, and for good reason. If the GOP thought November's election was ugly, wait until the midterms. It will be a good old fashioned house cleaning and Republicans will be sitting on the curb when it is all over! And that, my friends, is a good thing.
I gotta think that the players haven't cheated anymore now than before and it was just a mix of less reporting regarding their indiscretions before plus a public dumber about who they viewed as a role model. Really?! 1982 and the public said 75% viewed athletes as good role models?!? I think that a big part of it is just due to a public very willing to look the other way back then. Just off the top of my head I know for instance that these three swine were still in the game of baseball alone...
Gaylord Perry was still playing - spitball cheater
Mike Scott - The great emery board scuffer...
Pete Rose was still playing...
"And Obama spends valuable tax payer money and spends time away from his family to play golf"
Another uninformed conservative doing the two things conservatives do best --- being a hypocrite and whining. They never griped when George W. Bush took more vacations than any president in history and of course whining and bitching, crying and complaining, moaning and groaning about anything this president does or doesn't do.
Its time to start treating athletes like athletes instead of role models. Politician's are just as flawed as the rest of us.
Well, I, for one, hope that most people are NOT as corrupt as politicians! I can't imagine coming home having spent my whole paycheck and telling my family that they would just have to "do without".
Money is the root of all evil.
It's why we've lost trust in the media - they no longer value journalistic ethics above all, it's all about profit. It's what drove Armstrong to do whatever it took to win - for the millions in endorsement money. Who could blame him for ensuring his success through drugs? We worship the Golden Calf in this country, it's what you're supposed to do - reach for the millions. Note the disdain Romney had for the "47%" who weren't "successful." If you aren't a high earner in this country, you're nothing.
yes, and how very sad... remember a time when people were judged by their character?
Amy,
If you aren't a high earner in this country, you're nothing.
Says who?
If you want to feel that way, more power to you, but its a pretty defeatist why to look at life.
We never used to dig into scandal and peoples dirty laundry like we do now.
hetotas
Amy,
If you aren't a high earner in this country, you're nothing.
Says who?
If you want to feel that way, more power to you, but its a pretty defeatist why to look at life.
I would say that you may live life with blinders on. Don't tell me you don't understand that if one has mega bucks they are not treated or deemed different than one without? Rich people and big celebrities are put right through the line at night clubs, they get the VIP seating because of their fame and fortune. Do you honestly believe that if you or I went to that same night club that we would get the same VIP treatment? No, we wouldn't. Money and celebrity are on different levels than the rest of us. If you are rich and powerful, people listen to you. If you are just some run of the mill person, you get no special treatment. The only power "normal folks" have is at the ballot box.
Thanks Alaska Girl, you get what I am talking about. It's in the rhetoric of politics - in the contempt the Right has for anyone who isn't on salary. You must be a loser if you punch a time clock. If you're a teacher, well, then, what's wrong with you, couldn't you get a better job? You're a craftsmen, a carpenter, an artist? No health insurance, for you, should have had the sense to become a stock broker. Our culture worships money. You aren't a success unless you make the bucks. And seeking money leads people to compromise their ideals, to slip up, hurt other people, and bend the rules. Money corrupts. It was ever thus.
AlaskaGirl...
If the right-wingers get their way, there is going to be far fewer of us "normal folks" able to cast a vote in the near future, what with the various state legislatures enacting indirect poll taxes and saying you need birth records and irrefutable proof of residency (at your cost). I believe, here in Virginia, these new laws will be taking effect before the 2013 gubernatorial elections, so unless Bill Bolling decides to run as an Independent, it looks like the fix is in to for the Republicans to elect "the Cooch".
Then, the TP'ers will be dancing a jig, while we slowly regress back to the 1950's.....sad.
@ Portland Maine Girl...
LOVE of Money is the root of all evil..... NOT MONEY... but the LOVE of MONEY
Money like Guns is just an object with no will, no passion, no feelings....
Amy and Alaskan Girl......you sum it up nicely. Take the seeming loss of interest in professional sports, it is not only that the athletes are at times using questionable behavior, its also the high cost of tickets to see them play. It is not that long ago when you could attend a pro game take the family and not drop a few hundred dollars. Only the rich and or single well heeled with no obligations can now do that. What's now a parking fee could have bought a couple of good seats in an arena or park but not any more. I lived in Boston for a number of years and regularly went to baseball, hockey and basketball games and never felt I was breaking the bank, now there is an elitist attitude about going to pro games and that's a pity.
markw207...you nailed it! But it's not only the love of wealth that drives these athletes to cheat, it's the exposure they get in the press when they do these extraordinary feats of prowess. They get off on being on everyone's lips the day after a big win. They love the attention!
And Gingerbread Momma, I'm not sure which came first, the high ticket prices or the high athlete salaries. When I see every few years when owner lockouts or player strikes happen, it's always about sharing the profits from ticket and merchandise sales. But I do know this....ain't no way in this world will I pay $100 a head to go see a pro football or baseball game in person! I will NOT feed the monster that is pro sports today! Let's all boycott one season of the NBA, NFL or MLB and watch salaries come back down to earth.
Devil.................I feel the same way, I have better ways to spend my money and I know that it wont go to a good cause either.
The greed kinda ruined it for all.
Tru-dat this year we had the opportunity to by tickets to an NFL game we did because of the rivalry never again. Four tickets must have cost $500 with parking and food. Next year no thanks I said to my wife we could have used that money somewhere else. I don't care if its the Hittites Vs. The Pharaohs.
I'm glad there are many here who get the point! I refuse to pay the outrageous prices to go see even a really really great band. I won't pay the over the top ticket prices to a baseball game just to get a nose bleed seat! Someone earlier asked what came first the high ticket prices or the overpaid sports figures? Obviously, the high ticket prices were needed in order to meet the demands of the sports figures bloated salaries.
I have personally boycotted anyone who has already made millions by being a singer and then markets a perfume with their name on the label. I just won't do it. The greed amongst these people is just too much. Granted, many of them do very good charitable works and donate alot of money for the great wealth that "we" have bestowed upon them. That's where it should end. They shouldn't be viewed as any better than anyone else, but sadly they are.
I will enjoy watching major league baseball from the comfort of my home. I do miss going to the ball games, they really are alot of fun, but I am tired of footing a large part of the salaries of some of these people. I mean, really, some pitcher with an amazing arm can make as much as 9 million a year? I just caught that the other day, but I don't remember who it is. He re-signed a three year deal worth over 27 million. That doesn't even count all the endorsements and celebrity appearances. I fear that today's youth doesn't get into the sports field as much for the love of the game as for the love of the fame and fortune.
AlaskaGirl ...
Great posts above. As for missing watching sports - go check out the little league teams, local high school, etc. They need the support and it's fun to watch. The team or somebody's usually selling concessions to help get somewhere . . . . and your $ will count!
Just a thought! I miss watching high school track in the spring!
Thanks, Layton! I got distracted while commenting. I did mean to add that I'd rather go watch a little league game! Those little dudes are so adorable to watch! Granted, I really have a thing for major league catchers........I digress.....I am just not willing to spend a boat load of cash to go watch them live.
AG . .
I used to date a minor league catcher ... OMH! That and my ex used to get stopped in the airports because people thought he was Dennis Dennis Eckersley! :) Some of them are definitely eye candy!
People should be admired for their character and their natural talent, not for their wealth or celebrity. Being famous is not a bar to being worthy of admiration, but cheating is an automatic disqualifier.
Rude, spoiled, filthy, classless... the list could go on and on and on..... about athletes and celebs alike.
We have given them free passes for criminal behavior (Vick and Tyson) put up with antics that would get the rest of us thrown in jail..... paid them fortunes to be insulted to our faces.....
It's sad that the big news on the Red Carpet is how much "side boob" we can see... and how offensive sports "icons" can be.... do you really want your kids "idolizing" these tatted up, crass, crude turds...????
Worse... they come out speaking for something.........entertain me... I don't want your opinions.....
It's just that the media loves to cover the bad boy and girls. Being good gets no press coverage. I hold out hope that there are good athletes and politicians quietly going about trying to do what is right. The only ones getting coverage are the screw ups. Actually I think Gabby Gifford means well and is getting coverage. I just think she is wrong. But I like her well enough. I like Michelle's choice for favorite Athlete, classy guy. Come on Feisty admit you love Tanya Harding.
I can't even think about Penn St and Joe PA without getting sick. If you dig into anything you will find something, even the so called nice guys.
I grew up idolizing Larry Bird, I don't think my son will have anybody.
I grew up in the 60's and for a portion of that time the Bronx. Guys like Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris should thave been my heroes, but they wern't. Neither were the 69 Mets with Tom Seaver and Tommy Agee.
Did I admire them, you bet! Role models no. I am not trying to be sanctimonoius but my heroes were my Dad and my uncles most were combat veterans from WWI and II. All College educated at a time when Black men with college were a rarity.
My kids are all grown and I am not ashamed to say they looked at me the same way. If you have kids you're the role model they need to look up to.
@ Mockingbyrd
Try Tim Duncan
It's all about the look at me mentality. Sports figures used to be put on pedestals because they deserved it. Now people put them on pedestals because they are sports figures. The greatest role models of modern sports figures just died (Stan Musial) after serving himself and his sport for 90 years. Won't be another one like him for a long time and that is sad to say!
As a Cubs fan, I have to bite my lip and say "Stan the Man" was truly great!
Well most seem to be over payed thugs that squander millions.
When it cost the average American a paycheck to take his family to a professional sporting event, its hard not to shy away from it.
What did Sir Charles Barkley always say - 'I am not a role model!'. It's all about greed today The pursuit of the almighty dollar - millions of them, and d@mn anything and anyone that gets in the way. Especially 'those people'- you know, the little guy or gal. Can't take a kid to a ballgame without dropping a $100 bill these days.
Worse yet is the mantra when those we looked up to fall from our grace - what's left of it. You know, the deny, deny, deny then lie, lie, lie. Yet, we've brought this on ourselves the same way we're stuck with the politicians that fail us too. We've tolerated bad behaviour and let them get away with it - Scott free. No jail time, maybe a fine they can easily pay - using our money again. Or fall with a sweet parachute deal - a media position, maybe a consultant or analyst job. The lousy politicians show back up on wall street, or the lousy wall streeter and banker shows up back in the game. Or vice-versa - heavy on the vice.
I always liked Sir Charles. At least he was honest and up front about not wanting any part of being a role model. Probably cost him a bit of change.
Because many atheletes are spoiled brats and get in to all sorts of trouble. Not a good role model for kids.
Flacco was felling "not respected" by his $120 million dollar deal.
Says it all, really...
...the culture of the country has been degraded in all aspects of life, like music, education, sports, politics, religion, entertainment, etc.....that's what happens when you allow all the pandering to the lowest common denominator.....you sink to the bottom with them....
When ridiculously talented but insecure athletes like Barry Bonds & A-Rod feel they have to cheat, then all hope is lost.
Gee, I wonder why. Pro athletes, over paid and often getting away with using drugs, fights in bars, being total jerks because they are who they are and people wonder why they are no longer role models for children. All they seem to do is teach kids that one can do pretty much as they please if they have enough money.
I noticed actors and actresses were left out of the study. Role models are what kids dream of becoming. At one time, boys want to be big, fast and strong like professional football players. That was because kids spent their time at the park playing sports. Today with computers and the internet, physical excellence is no longer what teens strive for. Instead, they worship reality show and motion picture stars. The obseity rate is more evidence of that trend.
Those entertainers are way, way, way overpaid too. Looking at their private lives and they are no one you would want as a role model for your kids. By talking to one's children (seemingly rare these days} kids can know the true role models from those with the "SEE ME" or simply play for a living rather than having a job the actually requires some real intellegence. True, some athletes and some entertainers have both brain and skill and could surely be role modles but there certainly fewer of them than ever before.
People love to whine about all the money paid to pro athletes but seldom talk about the money paid to actors and actresses. In reality -- they're all in the same business -- entertainment.
And people --- PARENTS are the #1 role models for kids.
Can one imagine the GOP/Teabeggers forming any sort of sports team? Now this would be scary America! "Bonehead Boehner" would be the GOP/Teabegger Coach. Who is drunk 50% of the time, and is crying in his empty Whiskey bottle. The other half of the time! Again! The Assistant Coach would be "Crazy Cantor." Who loves to 'poltically stab' his coach in the back poltically/economically. "Crazy Cantor" is still running around the "Crazy Conservative" Big Top with tea bags hanging off his ears. Again! Now their team needs a name. Oh yes! They are called the "Teabeggers," and their mascot will be their Elephant. Just like a true Teabegger their mascot is slow moving, and always poltically going in circles. Now the Teabeggers will be wearing their Clown Outfits/Uniforms. GOP/Teabeggers will be putting on their facial Clown Paint. When they enter the political field they will be playing thier favorite Circus Music. Now little "Richie Rich Ryan" is the official economic game planner however, he is unable to explain any of his plays for the other "Crazy Conservative Clowns" to obey/follow. "Mickey Mouse Mitch McConnell" is sitting up in the GOP/Teabegger Circus Big Top yelling. "One term President!" Yes America. The "Teabeggers" are a very Mentally Ill political sports team. First they create the present horrible economic policies. Then they try to blame their mistakes on the President. The "Teabeggers" have a very difficult time running any "Political Plays" because, they are always saying NO! "Nutty Newt" is the "Teabeggers" official poltical play caller. He has been known to yell. "Where is my moonbase?" Announcing their team on the radio will be "Lunatic Limbaugh" the "Moron With A Mic." Hey! Hey! Ho! Ho! The Party of NO has got to go!! Who are the veteran "Political Players" on their 'team?' Well the first one is "Insane McCain" who has damage in the membrane. One can not forget his 'special' buddy "Grumpy Graham." Do not worry America! The "Teabeggers" just love to be the team that says NO!
Keep spewing your liberal vomit; it just shows what a pathetic lot you've become.
I can’t think of too many Democrats who were athletes in their high school and college years because most liberals are pretty wimpy. The only one I can think of is Joe Biden. Wikipedia had this to say about him.
I wish that Tea Partiers would organize into regulated militias (which according to the 2nd amendment, is a requirement), which would then spend part of their time doing marching and unit drills, which would require them to turn off the Rush/Glen podcasts for a few hours, and get some exercise and some fresh air and maybe their brain cells would work better.
JobSeeker . . .
You don't get out much do you? That has seriously got to be one of the most ill thought out posts ever.
I can’t think of too many Democrats who were athletes in their high school and college years because most liberals are pretty wimpy.
Really? Good thing you never skated into my zone. Wasn't GW a cheerleader???? Swing and a miss, clown.
How would anyone know the political beliefs of most athletes? I can think of at least one who was an outstanding athlete in high school, college and pros, a guy named Bill Bradley, who is a pretty solid liberal. He's well past his prime, but I bet he's not too wimpy to knock jobseekers teeth down his throat. If he's not available, this liberal wimp and former amateur boxer would be glad to pinch hit.
People scream and squawk about how "the other side" is inflexible, but in reality they want "their side" to be inflexible. There is little to nothing "united" about the United States anymore, and I see nothing on the horizon to change that.
Thanks for the earworm. Now I've got the song stuck in my head.
...Coo, coo, ca-choo, Mrs Robinson....
Corporation profits are way up! Little "Richie Rich Ryan" is dancing on his "Hill Of Horrors." Spend more money on corporations and help them make more profits. The 'takers' are going to have to pay more in taxes. The 'takers' will not be able to earn a living wage. The 'takers' do not need an education, and should consider a job in the Military. Oh! The 'takers' had better learn how to speak Korean before going into combat. No Health Care Reform for the 'takers,' because they 'fake' their illnesses. The 'takers' live in urban areas, and the takers are "WIC Witches." The children of the 'takers' do not need Head Start Programs, and all Food Stamp Programs is considered begging. Grandpa and Grandma had better buy a "Vulture." Injured Military Veterans do not deserve Medicare/Medicaid! They need to fight for themselves as they did in Iraq and in Afganistan. The 'takers' do not want to work, and nets should only be used for fishing. The 'takers' need to start catching their own. Social Security must be put on Wall Street, and run by the "Super Speculators." Medicare and Medcaid will be cut, and the elderely are expendible. The little "Richie Rich Ryan" budget plan is ready to go, and it is full of "Corporation Tax Cuts." No job creation needed here America! Cut all Government spending that deals job creation. Hey America! Are you seeing the Mental Illness, and Economic Evil of the GOP/Teabeggers now?? One would hope so!
In 1982 you got your sports news from your local paper and your local TV stations.Those outlets had to cover school sports and local teams. National sports news was relegated to mini capsules "from around the nation". Stupid stuff athletes did wasn't plastered across the nation in milliseconds as it is today. Scandals sell ad space and we live in a world of constant TMI.
Nothing surprising here. Even my 16 year old daughter knows the pro athlete is just another criminal who hasn't felt the need to commit a crime yet.
Hmmm...
'Still getting crickets from the DOJ/AG on the crime commited in Florida, when someone videotaped and recorded the conversation Mitt Romney was having with supporters...without his consent.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but that is a crime in Florida, yes?
This observation may seem off-topic, but the subject is "institutions". The DOJ seems to be wedging itself into everything these days, but not overt crimes.
Hmmm...
RICO
if you were able to figure out the % of pro athletes who were womanizing, drunks, drug users, and how many of them would be in jail if they weren't athletes, the numbers would be over 75%.
Joltin Joe was a friend of mine. The only time we talked sports was once about my Gym teacher in San Francisco. Former pitcher Con Dempsey.
"Of course, it's not difficult to explain the change. Just think about all of the scandals over the last few years involving performance-enhancing drugs or sex. Lance Armstrong. Barry Bonds. Tiger Woods. The list goes on."
I know a lot of people who are also turned off by professional sports because of the huge, million dollar salaries that some of these people get, or are turned off by sports "arenas" that feature "deluxe sky boxes" and lounge areas for the rich. I stopped going to Red Sox games in Boston years ago, preferring to go to minor league games like those had by the Lowell Spinners. Fans and players are there for the love of the game, the setting is "human", and a hot dog doesn't cost $10.00
Look at what happens to professional athletes when their career ends. Most of them get divorced (if they ever bothered to get married) and go bankrupt or both - the number ranges from 60 to 80%.
They are the worst role models possible.
IMHO he only reliable path to success in the US is education that leads to a "meal ticket" degree - engineering, law, medicine, and science. The other paths - such as working your way up through an organization - are very risky.
Professional sports is the riskiest path of all. Only a small percentage of athletes ever make it to the professional level, they have relatively short careers, and life after personal sports leads to financial for the majority of ex-professional athletes.