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As the first decade of the new millennium comes to a surprisingly sour end with the Golden Boy of the PGA Tour and possibly all of sports being scrutinized for extra-marital affairs, we are left wondering if there is any sports figure immune from these indecencies. More important than Tiger Woods’ squeaky clean image being perpetually tarnished, the breaking of the Tiger adulterous ways caps off a decade abundant with indecencies involving many of the world’s top athletes being exposed for corrupt lifestyles and frustrating a world in which many of these athletes are adored and unrealistically seen as “role models.” Besides Tiger, sports fans have seen top athletes such as Michael Phelps, Kobe Bryant, and countless Major League Baseball sluggers exposed for seemingly everything from drug and steroid use to extramarital affairs.
In a day in age where the media focuses their stories more on what sells: scandals, off-field issues, and flashy characters trying to draw attention to themselves (Terrell Owens anybody?), it’s important also to reflect on the less reported side of the spectrum: athletes who have not only lived to meet, but exceed expectations as role models in the first decade of the new millennium. Most of the time, the only time you’ll see these names on the front page of your sports section is for athletic performance, but these individuals are charitable and outreaching as well; the reverse of what you see out of many athletes today. Here’s a look at which prominent athletes I believe are the top role models of the last ten years:
Roger Federer – Arguably the greatest tennis player of all time, Federer not only became the all time Grand Slam Championships leader in the last decade, but a widely recognized class act and role model as well. Federer is known to be one of the most humble and loyal athletes in sports and extensively reaches out to his fans. His self-named “Roger Federer Foundation” supports female youth in impoverished African countries with education and sports funding.
Charles Woodson – One of
Tim Tebow - Yes, Tebow has only been a prominent role in sports for the last four years, but his significance to college football and the sports world coupled with his seemingly endless charity and mission work to the real world make him one of the most recognized figures in sports. No doubt he’s that guy you love to hate on the football field, but off the field Tim Tebow has been possibly the hardest working and most admirable college athlete to date. From a Wolverine fan’s standpoint it’s perfectly acceptable to be a Tebow fan, as his only game against
Peyton Manning - Manning’s “Peyback Foundation” aids dozens of various organizations for “at-risk” youth in
Curtis Granderson – Sure, he’s no longer a Tiger. But how can you root against this guy, even in Yankee pinstripes? Have you ever heard of or seen Grandy do so much as look at an umpire the wrong way or address fans or media with anything but the utmost respect? There’s a reason that nearly every female aged 12-45 held up signs with marriage proposals in
Forgetting somebody? Don’t agree with someone on the list? Feel free to leave a comment or let me know a ckudi@umich.edu.
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