Presents a collection of articles on the controversial topic of role models and debates the issue of placing athletes in a position where they become heroes to millions of youngsters and teens in spite of their sometimes questionable character.

An athlete must have personal integrity / R. Cort Kirkwood -- Parents should not rely on athletes as role models / Anthony Stalter -- There is racial disparity in judging athlete and parent role models / David Leonard -- Failures of role-model athletes do not diminish interest in sports / Jack McCallum -- Team-sport athletes are encouraged to be poor role models / Ian Warden -- Overly demonstrative black athletes set a bad example / Thad Mumford -- Sportsfans are responsible for steroid use among professional athletes / Chuck Klosterman -- Women in traditionally male sports do not need to shed their femininity / Danica Patrick with Laura Morton -- Women athletes who defy cultural traditions cause controversy / Umarah Jamali -- Homophobia in male professional sports is encouraged by the media / Joey Guerra -- Homosexuality does not preclude being an athlete and role model / David Wharton -- Athletes need training to avoid being the targets of troublemakers / Joseph Williams -- The economic downturn will return sports to its former purity / Simon Barnes.