hawker84":1znoxgut said:If you play a professional sport , you should conduct yourself as a professional.. because you're not only representing your own brand, you're representing your fans, organization (Boss) and City/State.. not to mention endorsements, charitable organizations, community programs, etc.... this is not a game anymore, it's a business...
Sherman is a professional...football player. He isn't paid to do PR or behave in public (as long as it doesn't interfere with his job, and for Sherman I think what he does helps). Off the field he is a man like us, a very young one, and he acts like it, regardless of how intelligent he is. It isn't in my nature to criticize anyone for immaturity, much less young "kids", and I don't see how playing a public sport makes one less deserving of understanding.
The only coherent argument for holding public figures to higher standards is because they are role models. That doesn't fly with me because I don't want role models for my kids. I am my kids' role model, and I welcome Sherman acting immature in public because I talk about it honestly with my kids. That lets them see Sherman as someone just like them, and they can pick and choose which of his traits to emulate (work as hard as he has, please!). I know some kids don't have good role models and will pick up on Sherman's traits indiscriminately, but that's society's & their guardian's fault, not Sherman's.
The most popular incoherent argument (by fans) is that Sherman reflects poorly on his fans. This argument reveals that one's personality is dictated by their team. In other words, they idolize their team, and when that idol does something to their psyche that conflicts with other parts of their psyche, it bothers them. This is a character flaw that will lead to other problems, and people like this should probably take a break from football. Fans should support their team if they enjoy that, not be psychologically dependant on their team at an unhealthy level. It's just like an addictive drug, albeit psychological rather than physical.