A Role Model - I Think Not!

Representative Joe Wilson, Michael Jordan, Serena Williams, Rafael Nadal, Kayna West, what do all of these individuals have in common? If you thought - they are famous, you would be right, but not for how they have excelled in their daily life and occupation. They all have shown their true character from the rude and boorish behavior they exhibited in the past week. All these individuals have shown a lack of respect for others and for themselves.

These antics from high profile people indicate a sad trend, manners and respect have gone out of style in society. The media attention generated in this technological age reaches impressionable youth who idolize top athletes, actors, and musical artists and, unfortunately, use them as role models. This type of ill-mannered behavior sets a negative example for anyone to follow. Whether these individuals want, or accept, the responsibility that comes with their celebrity, the reality is, they are viewed as role models and this "esteem" comes because of their public status.

National columnist, Terence Moore's headline in an article prepared for Fanhouse on Michael Jordan's Hall of Fame speech, wrote, "Jordan went from classy to clown." Terence hit the mark and no matter what excuse you choose to use, Jordan is "ultra-competitive" or Jordan has a big ego and that made him great and that ego was coming out in his speech, Michael Jordan was a clown.

The common rationalization Michael Jordan, his competitive nature was on display in the speech is flimsy at best. In 1997 an NBA top 50 players of all time was named and honored and every one of those men were "ultra" competitive in nature. At the beginning of the 1996-97 season, the 50 players had accumulated 107 NBA Championships, 49 Most Valuable Player Awards, 17 Rookie of the Year honors, 447 All-Star Game selections, 36 scoring titles, 923,791 total points and 410,327 total rebounds.

The other players on this list have represented themselves with class and dignity. Those fortunate enough to be elected to the Hall of Fame may have given, plain, boring and uninspiring speeches, but each did so with poise, pride, self-respect, and decorum. Thankfully, there are men who can be competitive on the court and still be proper role models in society.

No one doubts Jordan's greatness on the court and one "from the heart" speech will not change that perception. However, the legacy of Jordan, the human being, will forever be altered by his rude and vindictive speech. Michael has a right to his feelings, and to express them openly on his day at the Hall of Fame, or at any other time, but as ESPN columnist Rick Reilly wrote, "It [his speech] was tactless, egotistical and unbecoming. When it was done, nobody wanted to be like Mike." That is the best thing to come out of the speech.