For the second time in as many years, Ben Roethlisyoucantspellhislastnameonyourfirsttryeither has found himself in hot water for sexual misconduct. This time, it’s at the hands (teehee) … ALLEDGEDLY … of a 20 year old college sorority girl in Placeyouveneverheardofville, Georgia.

I don’t really want to get into the details of the whole thing, because I don’t know the details of the whole thing. I don’t think anyone does. So far, what’s been said is that the girl mentioned there were some activities in the bathroom that apparently she wasn’t cool with. Big Ben stated that there were some activities that took place in the bathroom that weren’t actual intercourse, but were hankypanky. Hankypanky, of course, has recently been approved to represent sexual activities that aren’t actual sex by a panel of elite scientists. And of course, by elite scientists, I mean “me and about four other Morning Wrap listeners having the conversation.”

Frequently when you write a column of this nature, it takes a position. You take one side or the other. For or against. Cold or hot. Up or down. Yes or no. SEC or anyone else.

Unfortunately, I’ve officially talked myself in a circle on this one and I’m not sure which side is right - it’s the classic devil-on-one-shoulder-angel-on-the-other battle. Except in this case we’ve gone to 15 rounds, both are cut, and neither camp is ready to throw in the towel yet.

GIVE IT UP - YOU’RE A ROLE MODEL NOW.

On one hand, it’s very easy to want to tell our models the old “Uncle Ben from Spiderman” theory:

“With great power, comes great responsibility.”

Aristotle .. Voltaire ..... Uncle Ben Parker.

To heck with Chuck Barkley. You’re a world class athlete, you’re on television every week, and whether you want it or not, people look up to you. So, whether you like it or not, you have a social responsibility to uphold. While it may not mean much to you, it means a lot of the parents of kids out there who have to convince them why they shouldn’t be like you everytime you mess up.

Frankly, our athletes are some of the most popular people on the planet. Whether you agree or not, the ability to perform athletic feats that the vast vast vast vast vast vast vast vast ……… ::breath:: ……. vast majority of people are unable to perform places you into a bracket of celebrity in this country.

With that celebrity and ability, of course, comes money. And with that money, fame. And with that fame, ultimately, a form of power which can influence the thoughts and actions of young fans growing within the country.

If you’re given that much power and celebrity by the country, it’s because they want to be entertained by you. They want you to represent them, in some way, shape, or form.

So, don’t you, as an athlete and as someone who’s profited off of that love from fans, don’t you owe them something in return? Don’t you owe them at least the representation of someone who’s respectable, who’s clean cut?

GIVE IT UP - THEY’RE JUST ATHLETES.

No! Athletes are just people. They’re frequently twenty-something year old kids who find themselves dropped into a world where everything is at their fingertips, and all they have to do to maintain it is win.

Oh, and as far as representing you? It’s very simple: if you don’t approve of what they do, don’t support them. Don’t buy the jerseys, don’t watch the games, and don’t buy from the sponsors of the player, team, or sport. It’s that simple.

Don’t put the athletes on any pedastal. The fact is, they can run fast, throw far, hit straight, shoot well, or whatever else it is that seperates them from you. Nothing more.

So why respect them more than, say, your neighborhood doctor? A person who spends four extra years in school and thousands of dollars and who’s job is to save lives - not goals. If an athlete is successful, we get to wear a tshirt the next day, and that’s the end of it. If a doctor is successful, someone stays alive. Really - which of those deserves fireworks and Queens’ “We are the champions,” really?

THE FACT IS….

Whether an athlete is a role model is ultimately up to you, the fans.

If you like Big Ben because he’s a Steeler, that’s on you.

If you like Big Ben because he’s clutch in the Super Bowl .. twice .. that’s on you.

If you dislike Big Ben because he’s not the most cerebral player in the league, that’s on you.

If you dislike Big Ben because he apparently can’t keep his zipper up, that’s on you.

It’s on you. Not them. Don’t like them? Good for you for having convictions that prevent you from going down a path you can’t support.

Don’t care? Good for you. They’re just athletes. They’re nothing more than you or I, minus a few bank account figures and the ability to shoot the long ball. Who cares what they do?

So whether you think you can, or think you can’t, you’r………………….. wait. Wrong saying, my bad.

Whether you think they’re role models, or think they’re not role models, you’re right. It’s in your head, and no where else.

There’s no right or wrong answer.

And that, my friends, is the most un-radio-friendly point of view I can take - and it’s the only one I can stumble upon.

Rob Brown General