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Who are today's patriots? They might be the President, congress,
or even soldiers. But what about athletes? Would you consider
some of today's pro competitors to be a patriot or role model?
I believe that athletes are loyal enough to this country to be
considered patriots.
Along with being role models, athletes use their individual rights.
As an example, athletes use the freedom of speech when they talk
about problems that are happening in the U.S. For instance, Warrick
Dunn, a running back for the NFL (National Football League) is
trying to persuade other NFL players to make a $5,000 donation
to victims of Hurricane Katrina, because he believes that players
shouldn't use their earnings for just themselves. Professionals
also do interviews, in which they have the right to say something
personal. As an example, Sherryl Swoopes, a five-time WNBA (Women
National Basketball Association) All- Star, recently announced
that she is a homosexual. She made this announcement in an ESPN
interview. She wanted to let everyone know, because she was tired
of pretending to be something she isn't. She still knows that
she is a role model, and respects anyone who doesn't think so.
Now consider Team U.S.A from the 2004 Olympics. They represent
our country. They get to compete for fun and pride, not for money.
Even though, the Olympic games are for fun, many professional
basketball players still refuse to travel international, because
lack of security. Shaquille O'Neal, Kobe Bryant, Tracy McGrady,
and others refused the invitation to play in Athens in 2004,
because lack of safety measures. Some courageous few who did
travel (Dwayne Wade, Allen Iverson, Tim Duncan, and others) were
able to play for pride and represent the U.S.A.
Otis Sistrunk is unknown athlete to many U.S. citizens, but in
fact, he was once an All-Star professional football player that
became a member of the army in Fort Lewis, 22 years ago. Otis
joined the army, because he was persuaded by a lieutenant colonel
while he was there on business. (www.defendamerica.com). He started
out by attending Fort Benning, where he helped the soldiers get
in fit shape. Not only being an employee in the army, but Otis
appears at charity golf events, and talks to children about staying
in school, not doing drugs, etc. "Otis has really shared
his knowledge and experience with all. He's a true role model,
one that you can access daily," Lonnie Meredith said, a
head coach of the Army football team.
Most people considered that soldiers were the true patriots of
America, but I would also deem our athletes of today to be loyalists.
In fact, some of today's patriots were the well-known pro competitors
or the ones unknown.
Work Cited
www.defendamerica.mil/profiles.html
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