I think that deffinently the childs parents and siblings should be the main role models in there lives, but if that kid likes sports he is bound to have role models that are athletes. That shouldn't be a bad things though I think athletes embrace it and be proud that people look up to them and want to be like them. However this could lead to bad behavior because the kid could look up to an athlete who doesn't handle himself in ways that kids should look up to. Somebody once told me to always handle myself in a possitive manner becasue wether you know it or not somebody is always watching and alot of times that somebody that is watching is a little kid who wants to be just like you. In the end I think athletes will always be looked up to by little kids so I guess they should try and act in a possitive manner for those who are looking up to them.