Professional sports seem to be full of rebels and bad boys who don't know how to be functioning members of society, despite being paid handsomely to play a sport that they presumably love. 

Where does this come from? Is it arrogance, lack of brains? Unable to show respect to anybody but themselves? Poor financial decisions?

Read more: Is Ben Cousins out of bounds in comedy?

I'm not saying that all sports people are bad influences on society, but for every Gary Ablett Jr, LeBron James, Matthew Pavlich or Roger Federer -- the very heights of on and off-field excellence -- you have the Ben Cousins, Nick Kyrgios, Gilbert Arenas and Harley Bennells of the world.

Why can't our sporting heroes be just that, heroes? 

If you're going to lead a public life, at least set a positive example for all the kids out there who admire you greatly. 

I'm fine with them being their own person, or even private person, in fact I encourage it.

Just don't be shady criminals.

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