It seems as though the subject is brought up every year at some point or another, fueled usually by some type of on-field activity to which someone, often an outsider, has taken umbrage: a professional athlete has acted in a manner that is not befitting of a role model.
Now is as good a time as any for a reminder: being paid as a professional athlete does not oblige one to become a role model.
The latest meaningless accusation of failure to be a role model was levied at Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton by a local Tennessee mom, chagrined over his dancing in celebration of scoring a touchdown, and over the questions that her daughter allegedly launched at her in response.