Benched: Athletes, not idols

Athletes are human, not gods, therefore athletes are flawed, not perfect.
I love watching sports on television just as much as the next person, but in today’s society, athletes are being looked up to in an unhealthy fashion. Children and adults alike look up to these figures and see them for what they are not.
Many athletes are seen as idols, but when it comes down to it most of the time they disappoint you.
In the summer of 2012, the world was introduced to double-amputee Oscar Pistorius. Pistorius sprinted alongside some of the world’s greatest sprinters, whom had both legs, and did so extremely successfully. It was admirable. But should he have been worshipped for it? No.
Pistorius became a phenomenon in America and throughout the world. People looked up to him as the perfect example for overcoming adversity, which he was, but he was wrongly idolized.
Like so many other athletes in the past, Pistorius let the world down when just weeks ago he was charged with the murder of his girlfriend.
People were shocked and outraged that an athletic figure such as Pistorius would have done something like this. He seemed so happy and well put together.
This is a prime example that athletes are human and being human means you are inherently flawed. People should not be idolized for their athletic abilities because people let you down.
This may come off as pessimistic or even disheartening, but the fact of the matter is that this a huge problem in American culture. Individuals are being put on the highest pedestal and when they are seen for the people that they truly are, people are shocked.
Another athlete that has been wrongly idolized is Lance Armstrong.
Lance Armstrong overcame testicular cancer en route to winning several Tour de France titles. People worshipped him; spending money on Armstrong’s Livestrong armbands to show their support for what they thought was a great athlete.
In an interview with Oprah Winfrey, Lance Armstrong admitted to the worlds that he had taking performance-enhancing drugs in order to win his Tour de France titles.
Again, the world was shocked. Expressing outrage, throwing away their armbands and tearing down posters they had of Armstrong.
People disappoint, therefore athletes disappoint. Athletes are not to be treated like they are more than everyday people in society, because if you treat them that way you will be undoubtedly dissapointed how many choose to live their personal lives.
My message to everyone out there is do not worship athletes, celebrities or anyone for that matter. People make mistakes and you will end up heartbroken, disappointed, and just downright sad.