Lately, I’ve been contemplating the importance of good fitness role models. I’ve noticed that a lot of potential fitness role models are not that great. I don’t know if it’s just in the past few years or so, but it does seem like there used to be a lot more great fitness role models. Now, when I say fitness role model, I’m talking about anyone famous that is athletic as well. Although, they don’t have to be a professional athlete. They just have to be known for their pursuit of fitness and health.
Unfortunately these days, we see a lot of professional athletes and other fitness role models that may hold up to the physical end but aren’t very inspiring people. They get involved with drugs, scandals, and illegal activities. I can’t speak for everyone, but these aren’t the type of people that I want my future children looking up to. A true fitness role model needs to have a good amount of humility, and an attitude of hard work, and dedication. They need to worry less about the money, and more about the game.
It irritates me when I see people revere an athlete as a hero just for the mere fact that that athlete is good. Sometimes they think of an athlete as a hero because they are good and they are from the same place. Don’t get me wrong. I think it’s cool as well to see someone exceed that came from the same place that I did. But to actually qualify as a hero, these athletes should at least be living an exemplary lifestyle. And if they have the opportunity, they should do even more.
One man that went above and beyond is the late, great Jackie Robinson. I recently saw a movie about him entitled, “42.” This movie was wonderful, and I learned so much about a great man. While it’s true that I don’t know everything about him, I learned a lot. At first glance, all he did was accept a high paying job playing a game that he loved. What’s so heroic about that? The mental, emotional, and sometimes even physical challenges that this man faced just so he could play professional baseball were astounding.
To take and take the abuse that he took would have broken an ordinary man. Jackie Robinson must not have been an ordinary man. He couldn’t have been. On and off the field of play, he was a hero. He helped to show the world that everyone should have their chance, and it is a truly inspiring story. I know that when I watch a sport, I want to see the best athletes out there. And now I can, thanks to people like Jackie and those who supported him throughout.
