Throughout my life, I have always considered sports figures to be my heroes. Not ones from a specific race, position or sport, just professional athletes in general. As I continue to grow up playing sports, my respect for these people grows. I am beginning to understand the ridiculous amount of time and effort the professionals have given to their specific sport that put them where they are today. Of course, they are all physically gifted athletes, but even with all the talent and ability in the world, they wouldn't make it anywhere in the sports without dedicating practically their whole lives to what they love to do. What I most admire about them is their competitive nature. It doesn't matter if an NFL quarterback is playing Monopoly with a 3 year old, chances are they might let the game get close, but in the end will seal the deal and get the win. Losing just isn't an option for professional athletes and I truly admire that quality. However, one thing that has recently changed about them, is their off-field lives. A few examples of athletes that have tarnished their names in the past few weeks are Tiger Woods, Gilbert Arenas and Mark McGwire. Just in the past few weeks, Tiger Woods, who appeared invincible, has admitted to being unfaithful to his wife, multiple times. Gilbert Arenas has been suspended undefinently by the NBA for bringing 4 guns to the Washington Wizards arena and Mark McGwire has admitted to using performance enhancing drugs throughout his illustrious baseball career despite lying about it prior. No matter what the circumstance, professional athletes are beginning to be exposed for things they should not be doing with so many eyes upon them.
