http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2011/may/30/why-idolise-footballers I like him even if he doesn't 'get' sport.
Yes - I agree with the contention that why think of footballers as role models - most are pretty stupid with brains only in their feet - which is fair enough so long as you don't try to make them into role models - Watford players excepted of course
"...the extra- curricular activity of men who kick balls around lawns for a living." I guess that lets out Watford players then
I'd be interested to see if people really do worship them or just happen to support the playuers their club plays for? Kids I suppose look up to the likes of Rooney etc but TBH parents should be able to tell their children what is right and wrong. Do people really care what they get up to off the pitch?...if Rooney and co want to make fools of themselves then so be it The media are the ones who hype it all up and make them into the celebs they are. For most they are often working class young men trying to play a game (or "work" as some call it). They might not be the sharpest but its not their role to speak like an MP....
I have to admit, i'm amazed on Twitter sometimes to see how ill-educated so many of our footballers are. It's sad really...and that's not a criticism of them, it's circumstances...it just saddens me
Yup. Pretty much what Charlie Brooker is saying: "I don't have kids, but I know enough about parenting to state the following with confidence: any parent who is genuinely concerned that their child's worldview might be hopelessly altered by the unruly behaviour of a footballer has failed as a parent."
Unfortunately too many parents nowadays don't take responsibility for their own kids - it is all the school's or society's or anyone else's fault
Yes and often the older players speak well. Much like in general the young ones maybe don't sound as well-educated.