Tiger Woods was undoubtedly one of the most successful and popular athletes of all time - that is until November 2009 and the scandal that rocked the sports world.
Woods had crashed his car near his Florida mansion and what followed were accusations that the famous golfer had been unfaithful in his marriage, to which he eventually confessed and apologized.
Reports of infidelity and bad behavior by our celebrity and sports "heroes" - such as those surrounding Woods and, more recently, former Miami University and current Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, who was suspended after allegations of sexual abuse - are nothing new.
However, talking with your kids about the stories they see on television and read in papers and magazines is important, especially when these figures are sometimes looked up to as role models.
"I think that honesty is really the best policy," said Lisa Polk, guidance counselor at Marietta Middle School. "I also think it is best to let (the kids) ask the questions and then ask 'what is your opinion' and 'what do you think about it.'"
While parents undoubtedly have their own opinions about these types of stories, Polk thinks it is probably best to let the kids take the lead and express their feelings.
Fact Box
Ten ways to set a good example
Maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Model a love of learning.
Keep a positive attitude.
Take responsibility for yourself.
Use good problem-solving skills.
Show kindness and respect.
Behave ethically.
Model good coping skills.
Be reliable.
Model service to others.
Source: managing-youth-workers.suite101.com
"My son's attitude was why would someone mess up everything they have and do something like that," said Lisa Weekley, 43, whose 14-year-old son plays baseball and basketball and plans to study to become dentist.
"He doesn't really think about (sports figures or celebrities) as role models. He loves LeBron James, but I don't know (if something negative came out about James) if it would affect him.
"My son plays baseball and basketball because he enjoys it, but he is realistic."
For Weekley, the attention that is given to these public figures when they mess up is probably too much, but she uses it as an example to show her son and two daughters how not to behave.
"I don't think it's necessary to build them up so much," she said.
Polk agrees.
"We need to realize that these people are human and they mess up like the rest of us, but (because of their celebrity) they feel a sense of entitlement," she said.
At a press conference in February, Woods apologized for his behavior and admitted that he felt he had earned the right to act inappropriately.
"I thought I could get away with whatever I wanted to," Woods told reporters. "I felt that I had worked hard my entire life and deserved to enjoy all the temptations around me... thanks to money and fame, I didn't have to go far to find them."
Unfortunately, Polk believes this sends the wrong message to kids.
"They might feel like they can get away with this behavior. It just spreads this sense of entitlement," she said.
As far as both Polk and Weekley are concerned, role models can come from all aspects of life.
"I think someone who is genuinely a nice person," said Polk. "Princess Di comes to mind because of her humanity. She had problems in her life, but a lot of people looked up to her."
For Weekley, her role models were a little closer to home.
"I try to teach my kids to be involved in things like band and sports because camaraderie is important," she said. "My parents were always involved in everything we did and guess I'm just trying to follow that."
