The civic work done by many sports stars is commendable and shouldn’t go unnoticed. But we shouldn’t expect all sports stars to be engaged.
In today’s world, sports stars now expected to be role models and activists. What’s more, their actions outside of sport are a matter of public inspection and question. Every move is monitored and scrutinized, their personal lives affected significantly, sometimes becoming non-existent.
While being in the limelight can be a severe burden for some, others use their fame to promote causes close to their hearts. The question is: Should we expect such action from all sports stars?
UK Health Secretary, Matt Hancock, says yes. Hancock told Premier League players recently “to play their part” in the battle against Coronavirus. But it’s important to know that clubs and footballers were engaged already. Stadiums and club hotel doors were open to NHS staff, and meals were distributed. And club captains organised a campaign to raise millions of pounds of players’ money to support public needs.
Marcus Rashford engaging in one of his charitable efforts (photo I Love Manchester)
Should we expect as much, and perhaps even more? Well, ‘more’ is happening, too. Recently, Marcus Rashford lobbied the government successfully to reverse a government decision to cut free meals to disadvantaged children. He also raised millions of pounds for children from underprivileged backgrounds.
The civic work done by many sports stars is commendable, and that effort shouldn’t go unnoticed. But we shouldn’t expect all sports stars to be engaged. Let’s remember that many of them are young men who, at this point in their lives, want to focus on football and live normal lives. And there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that.
Let’s be more discriminating as we form expectations about stars’ civic efforts. What we expect from some need not be the measure for all.
