Let's send the right message

by Laurie Duffy
For The Post

My mother always taught me to "send the right message."

When I was a high-school basketball player, it was an honor to be a role model and have younger girls look up to me. I was absolutely flattered that someone wanted to be like me.

My career is finished now, and I have noticed that various athletes, coaches and fans have had a little trouble sending the right message to children who watch games and worship those they see.

Whether it is vulgar language, fighting during competition or illegal actions, the behavior of those in the world of sports has become increasingly scrutinized. They set poor examples and participate in unsportsmanlike conduct. Unfortunately, those actions are springing up like dandelions on a run-down baseball diamond.

The NBA in the 1970s and 1980s meant draining a three in the eye of a trash-talking opponent. Now, what we see is an all-out, bench-clearing street brawl. And forget about shaking hands after the games. Instead of saying "Good game," the words of choice are "My posse is gonna beat the crap out of your posse!"

How many of you noticed the verbal slip in Super Bowl pregame player introductions? The Ravens' Tony Siragusa ran through the tunnel under a strategically placed boom mike and screamed a four-letter word that makes conservative parents cringe. It was loud; it was obnoxious; it was modern professional football. And it needs to change.

College athletics aren't any better. What's worse is when fans are just as guilty as the players.

For example, let's take the chant sung after every goal at Ohio club hockey games. If you were a kid who aspired to be a hockey player, what would you think when you heard a song filled with profanities? After hearing that, I would love to come to Athens and play against the Bobcats.

If someone came to your workplace and screamed "You suck" every time you made a phone call, it would be a little nerve-racking. Athletes are people who can ignore the personal attacks. Come to think of it, I can understand why Charles Barkley would throw an unruly fan through a plate-glass window.

Ask any player how they feel about irate fans. Hecklers can rattle the mind. Last week, an NBA referee ejected singer Jimmy Buffet from a Miami Heat game against the New York Knicks for using profane language while sitting next to a woman and child. In this case, the referee spared those people from hearing the psycho Parrothead fan.

These definitely are not great messages for kids.

It seems that after every moral mistake, athletes claim they are not role models. Well, guess what guys and girls? Little eyes are watching every move you make and mentally taking note of what they think is proper behavior. All people, especially athletes, must realize that young kids are rather impressionable, and they often do not know right from wrong. When the adults they admire do stupid things, it's hard not to take notice.

Athletes and other adults don't get to decide whether or not they are role models; they can only choose to be a good example or a bad one.

I don't really want to read about a 7-year-old Little Leaguer charging the mound to take a swing at a pitcher who brushed him back with a wicked 5-mph fastball.

Let's all remember to send them the right message.

Duffy is a freshman. Send her an e-mail at ld167200@ohiou.edu.