Abby Wambach

[PennStateNate]

So she gets a DUI. Puts out a big apology which sounded sincere, taking responsibility, then pleads not guilty. I understand the not guilty to get lesser and I will even excuse the DUI, she made a mistake, but why apologize like you did?

Now she openly admits prior drug use, adding on to her to discriminative tweets about the USMNT calling up Americans not born in this country.

Got to ask, why are we still using role model when we discuss her?

 

[manatree]

Why don't you go to Eisenhower Auditorium tonight and ask her?

 

[PSU_1991]

Suddenly makes her talk here much more newsworthy. First public appearance since the arrest.

 

[LighthouseGolfer]

Not familiar with the DUI laws in the state where she was arrested but her plea likely has nothing at all to do with her apology at all and likely has nothing to do with trying to avoid a charge. To the contrary, it is most likely that if it was her first time with a DUI that she is elegible for an ARD program in her state. This would allow her to have the charges dropped (or something similar) if she participates and successfully completes an ARD program. This doesn't mean she is saying she didn't do it. It means she is doing what every other person who has a DUI charge does. I don't think it means that she is planning on fighting the charges at all.

 

[ACMEPizza]

I don't see why her admitting to trying weed and cocaine 10 years ago excludes people from using her as a role model.

 

[Obliviax]

Like everyone, she is flawed. These people's public personalities are carefully crafted. I am sure Amy has made millions and millions on her public personality.

IMHO, drunk driving (especially in the days of Uber for wealthy people) is a horrible crime. She's lucky she didn't kill someone swerving. I give her credit for her success, but she's no hero for people to model their daughters after.

 

[Alphabets]

Yep, drunk drivers = pieces of human sh!t in my book. She's a scumbag. Call Uber next time, ya cheap scumbag.

 

[SUPERTODD]

So she gets a DUI. Puts out a big apology which sounded sincere, taking responsibility, then pleads not guilty. I understand the not guilty to get lesser and I will even excuse the DUI, she made a mistake, but why apologize like you did?

Now she openly admits prior drug use, adding on to her to discriminative tweets about the USMNT calling up Americans not born in this country.

Got to ask, why are we still using role model when we discuss her?

Putting aside everything else about Wambach, her comments about the US calling in foreign born players were not out of line. I have friends in US Soccer and internally there are a lot of doubts about Klinsmann's strategy. The US has always been one of the hardest working teams in the world. That has changed in the last few years. Many fans too have questioned what Klinsmann is doing. Maybe the fans are wrong, but the perception is that the team has gotten technically better but lacks the same fighting spirit they have traditionally shown.

 

[PennStateNate]

The only way US continues to compete in Soccer is by using these players.

being a professional athlete on the USWNT it's not Abby's place to question what is going on. Klinsmann is doing what is within the rules to compete.

 

[Chickenman Testa]

As for drunk driving, had a scary commute home yesterday. Thought a guy was being a douche blocking a merge lane near an off ramp by driving between 2 lanes. Ticked my lights a few times to get him to move into one lane. He then left on the off ramp to the access road where I was going. He immediately over corrected almost into the curb then drove too slow to the light stopping a full 30 feet behind the car in front of him.

I get on 911 and tell them what I'm seeing, his plate #, etc and make the mistake of getting in front of him. I see him almost hit 2 cars and come up behind me. Then he takes out a can and leans all the way back taking a swig at the next light. Took me about a half mile to get over into another lane and out of his way. Finally yank over to a construction turnoff and watch him drive by. Hopefully he was caught. This was 6:30 pm in heavy traffic.

 

[Lion8286]

So she gets a DUI. Puts out a big apology which sounded sincere, taking responsibility, then pleads not guilty. I understand the not guilty to get lesser and I will even excuse the DUI, she made a mistake, but why apologize like you did?

Now she openly admits prior drug use, adding on to her to discriminative tweets about the USMNT calling up Americans not born in this country.

Got to ask, why are we still using role model when we discuss her?

Why are YOU still using her as a role model?? I know I never have. Not sure what group that you belong to that is the "we" you are referring to.

 

[joeparules]

I don't see why her admitting to trying weed and cocaine 10 years ago excludes people from using her as a role model.

The last remaining role model in the sports world died of cancer a little over four years ago. How about we get back to parents being the best role models for kids?!

 

[PSU Blue]

Soccer is the most physical women's sport on the planet. To become the best, physically and mentally, athlete on the planet, it shouldn't be surprising that she wired differently. She is a primary reason why women's soccer has doubled in popularity over the last 10 years, it's hard to argue differently. If she was a man, she would of been the highest paid athlete in the world. Not making excuses, just trying to put it in perspective.

I coach 2 women's travel soccer teams, one a bit younger, but she is a role model to all of them. Parents asked me to address it at practice on Monday and I said "There are no conditions that you should drink and get behind the wheel of a car (or get in with someone who has). Luckily she did not kill anyone, no excuses, but let's see how she responds. What do you think she will say?". And they all went around the circle talking about it.

 

[Grant Green]

So she gets a DUI. Puts out a big apology which sounded sincere, taking responsibility, then pleads not guilty. I understand the not guilty to get lesser and I will even excuse the DUI, she made a mistake, but why apologize like you did?

Now she openly admits prior drug use, adding on to her to discriminative tweets about the USMNT calling up Americans not born in this country.

Got to ask, why are we still using role model when we discuss her?

You must have missed it. They took her off the role model list this morning

 

[tboyer]

So she gets a DUI. Puts out a big apology which sounded sincere, taking responsibility, then pleads not guilty. I understand the not guilty to get lesser and I will even excuse the DUI, she made a mistake, but why apologize like you did?

She's not trying to beat the charge. As others have noted, guilty plea is what you do in cases with alternative disposition. This way she has a chance to avoid the conviction on her record.

I don't know anything about her, and I'm not excusing anything, but good people do screw up and get DUIs. It is really easy -- especially for a small person without a lot of body weight -- to have a drink or two and get in the car and think they're legal but they're not.

There was a Supreme Court justice in Washington a few years back who was probably 4 foot 10 and 90 pounds -- she stopped in to a brunch event in her neighborhood and had a little mimosa from a punch bowl. Looked fine to everybody, then got in her car and the alcohol hit her and she was weaving, sideswiping cars, could have killed someone if a cop hadn't pulled her over. She was not a problem drinker -- just the opposite, she rarely drank at all. She just screwed up. That was a really good lesson in how easy it is to mess up, especially for a small person.

 

[tboyer]

I don't see why her admitting to trying weed and cocaine 10 years ago excludes people from using her as a role model.

Agree. Especially weed. If you haven't been to college recently, well, it's a pretty unusual kid who doesn't indulge in weed in college.

For that matter, it would would solve a lot of problems if weed replaced beer as the drug of choice on college campuses. A lot less fighting, a lot less rape, a lot less public urination and a lot fewer people killed in car accidents.

 

[massimoManca II]

Soccer is the most physical women's sport on the planet. To become the best, physically and mentally, athlete on the planet, it shouldn't be surprising that she wired differently. She is a primary reason why women's soccer has doubled in popularity over the last 10 years, it's hard to argue differently. If she was a man, she would of been the highest paid athlete in the world. Not making excuses, just trying to put it in perspective.

I coach 2 women's travel soccer teams, one a bit younger, but she is a role model to all of them. Parents asked me to address it at practice on Monday and I said "There are no conditions that you should drink and get behind the wheel of a car (or get in with someone who has). Luckily she did not kill anyone, no excuses, but let's see how she responds. What do you think she will say?". And they all went around the circle talking about it.

^^^^ DING DING DING ^^^^

Precisely. To paint with the broadest of brushes - most successful NFL QB's have been jackwads ( Jim kelly, Marino, Favre, Roethlisberger, Elway). How 'bout them PGA guys (Tiger, Rory Sabbatini, among the rest) , Most of the greatest motorsports legends are/ were jackwads (I'm staring at YOU: Lewis Hamilton, Nigel Mansell, Most NASCAR guys, Al Unser Sr. ) ... baseball players (i can't name more than three current MLB players) ... Lead Guitarists? The annals of music are full of a-holes like EVH, Ritchie Blackmore etc...

The Roger Staubachs are like hen's teeth in the world of successful competitive sports... No surprise a cock-sure fighter-pilot mentality is the clearest path to uber-success in any competitive arena - be it sports, business, art...

 

[Chickenman Testa]

Agree. Especially weed. If you haven't been to college recently, well, it's a pretty unusual kid who doesn't indulge in weed in college.

For that matter, it would would solve a lot of problems if weed replaced beer as the drug of choice on college campuses. A lot less fighting, a lot less rape, a lot less public urination and a lot fewer people killed in car accidents.

Hear, hear. On that note, the following hilarious clip:

 

[Chickenman Testa]

^^^^ DING DING DING ^^^^

Precisely. To paint with the broadest of brushes - most successful NFL QB's have been jackwads ( Jim kelly, Marino, Favre, Roethlisberger, Elway). How 'bout them PGA guys (Tiger, Rory Sabbatini, among the rest) , Most of the greatest motorsports legends are/ were jackwads (I'm staring at YOU: Lewis Hamilton, Nigel Mansell, Most NASCAR guys, Al Unser Sr. ) ... baseball players (i can't name more than three current MLB players) ... Lead Guitarists? The annals of music are full of a-holes like EVH, Ritchie Blackmore etc...

The Roger Staubachs are like hen's teeth in the world of successful competitive sports... No surprise a cock-sure fighter-pilot mentality is the clearest path to uber-success in any competitive arena - be it sports, business, art...

By citing Meatheadberger, you realize you are inviting the wrath of the ravenous horde of Stiller fans on here.

 

[PennStateNate]

How about people quit using athletes as role models..

 

[Lion8286]

How about people quit using athletes as role models..

Why don't YOU? You're the one that started the thread saying she was your role model. Another idiotic post.

 

[PennStateNate]

Why don't YOU? You're the one that started the thread saying she was your role model. Another idiotic post.

Where did I say she WAS MY ROLE MODEL? She is the role model for millions of young soccer players.

Again, you bring nothing to the discussion .

 

[Grant Green]

How about people quit using athletes as role models..

Let's just stop using people as roles models. They are all flawed in some way or another.

 

[PennStateNate]

Let's just stop using people as roles models. They are all flawed in some way or another.

joeparules has the best idea for a role model.

 

[Chickenman Testa]

Let's just stop using people as roles models. They are all flawed in some way or another.

GG - I think you'd agree that most people, like clouds, cannot be trusted to do the right thing.

 

[Lion8286]

Where did I say she WAS MY ROLE MODEL? She is the role model for millions of young soccer players.

Again, you bring nothing to the discussion .

Did you not post "Got to ask, why are WE still using role model when WE discuss her."

Does "we" not include you???

 

[Grant Green]

GG - I think you'd agree that most people, like clouds, cannot be trusted to do the right thing.

Don't get me started on clouds that look like people.

 

[Grant Green]

joeparules has the best idea for a role model.

And what about kids with shitty parents? There is not shortage of them.
Maybe we just let individuals select their own role models based on their own situation in life.
And what about pro athletes kids? Who are their role models?

 

[cjrugger]

Why don't YOU? You're the one that started the thread saying she was your role model. Another idiotic post.

I'd guess one of his other personalities started the thread

 

[Lion8286]

And what about kids with shitty parents? There is not shortage of them.
Maybe we just let individuals select their own role models based on their own situation in life.
And what about pro athletes kids? Who are their role models?

You're making Nate's head spin.

 

[joeparules]

And what about kids with shitty parents? There is not shortage of them.
Maybe we just let individuals select their own role models based on their own situation in life.
And what about pro athletes kids? Who are their role models?

You bring up a good point and a subliminal part of my message ... if all parents made good role models kids wouldn't have to look elsewhere. But unfortunately as Keanu Reeve's character said in the movie Parenthood "Any butt-reaming a__hole can be a parent". I believe there may still be some professional athletes out there that make good role models, but they are becoming very few and far between.

As for kids of pro athletes ... they are screwed! Just ask the eight kids (from seven different women) of Gary Payton or Travis Henry's kids.

 

[Grant Green]

You bring up a good point and a subliminal part of my message ... if all parents made good role models kids wouldn't have to look elsewhere. But unfortunately as Keanu Reeve's character said in the movie Parenthood "Any butt-reaming a__hole can be a parent". I believe there may still be some professional athletes out there that make good role models, but they are becoming very few and far between.

As for kids of pro athletes ... they are screwed! Just ask the eight kids (from seven different women) of Gary Payton or Travis Henry's kids.

I don't believe that athlete role models are becoming few and far between. It's more like they get more exposure. I doubt they are really that much different than 40 years ago. There are plenty of great guys in sports. However, the a-holes make for more interesting ESPN stories, so you hear more about them.
Agree with the rest of what you said though.

 

[cjrugger]

You bring up a good point and a subliminal part of my message ... if all parents made good role models kids wouldn't have to look elsewhere. But unfortunately as Keanu Reeve's character said in the movie Parenthood "Any butt-reaming a__hole can be a parent". I believe there may still be some professional athletes out there that make good role models, but they are becoming very few and far between.

As for kids of pro athletes ... they are screwed! Just ask the eight kids (from seven different women) of Gary Payton or Travis Henry's kids.

Payton is the son of Al and Annie Payton. He married Monique James on July 26, 1997. They live in Oakland and Las Vegas, NV and have three children: Gary II, Julian, and Raquel.[27] Payton also has another son named Gary Payton Jr with a different mother.[28]

Believe you're looking for Shawn Kemp. Which of his kids have been a problem so far?

 

[pointingdogsrule]

The last remaining role model in the sports world died of cancer a little over four years ago. How about we get back to parents being the best role models for kids?!

May I also insert "JIMMY V" here. Further back in time. Hope that you don't mind.

 

[massimoManca II]

I don't believe that athlete role models are becoming few and far between. It's more like they get more exposure. I doubt they are really that much different than 40 years ago. There are plenty of great guys in sports. However, the a-holes make for more interesting ESPN stories, so you hear more about them.
Agree with the rest of what you said though.

If only we had the suitable role models of yesteryear: Babe Ruth, Mickey Mantle, Ty Cobb, Len Dykstra, GlenAllen Hill, Doug Decinces