I have been saying it for a long time now that sports figures or celebrities are great choices for role models.  People seem to automatically attach some status to individuals who are good at a sport and then somehow transfer that into role modelism.  Which of course I can't help but agree with since I can't think for myself.   I just wanted to point out a few more instances where maybe letting your kids have high profile athletes as celebreties may be the best idea. Here are some recent instances where having athletes as role models is brilliant.  I have some very low standards so you may not be in complete agreement with my top three choices for best role models.  Warning:  Let your kids read this, it is highly unlikely they will go on a robbing spree or sexually harrass their teacher.   A little like Eminem said, "You can be just like me."

1. Isaiah you may have been a good point guard, but you are a bona fide piece of dog doodoo.  Just go crawl back into the hole you crawled out of and leave the Knicks and the rest of society alone. You are one expensive ####.  Absolutely perfect for my children.

2.  OJ, The Juice.  What should we do with this guy?  I mean a serious menace to society.  If I saw him coming down the street I'd definitely move to the other side.  High speed chase on speed.  Double murder, armed robbery, bar fight, 10 handicap, 11,000 yards rushing.  Amazing!  And it would be the most super entertaining thing if we let OJ try to get to 12,000.  Let him back in the league, my kids deserve the chance to see OJ's head knocked off.

3.  Iron Mike Tyson .  Oh yeah.  Let's just let the guy box.  I mean his worst offense in the ring is biting off Evander's ear.  Which in all reality isn't that big a deal, and so what if he likes to go fast and do drugs (Mike's biggest role model when he was growing up just happened to be OJ Simpson).  He's got the brain of a 13 year old.  Just leave old Mikey alone people and let him lead the children.

Honorable Mention: 

Gold:  Rasheed Wallace (because E 40 said so)

Silver: Ricky Williams - the poster child for wasted talent and laziness

Bronze: Mark Ecko - The gold standard for wasting money because you have lots of it and you want to rub that fact in the face of all the people that don't have much, Mark Ecko you're my hero and my kids hero, too.

These are my top six role models for my children, at least  for when I have some.  I will make sure to remind my kids the most important people on this planet are ones that are good at sports and anyone who entertains us.  But, remember there are many role models to choose from.  Your kids can sift through the newspaper or watch some television and find their own if you want to go that route.