Flipping the bird aint so bad. It happens everyday. It happens out of emotions whether we like it or not. I try to teach my kids that athletes are just ordinary people too, they;re just realy fast, or can hit that ball really far, or whatever. They are no better a person than you or me or anyone else. In other words, I try to teach my kids that athletes are no role models, just as movies stars or rock stars or rap and r&b stars or anyone else in the spotlight.

Like here in Chicago. Tank Johnson. Great football player. Exciting to watch on the field. Earlier this week police raided his house and found 6 (six!) guns including four handguns and two assault rifles, some of which were loaded and in plain site of a 20 month and a 3 year old. and 2 1/2 oz of pot.

Off the field? Who knows what these guys are like off the field? Obviously, in Tank's case, not a role model for anyone, unless you are a small time pot dealer or an arms dealer.

I guess my point is this. Flipping the finger isn't so bad. (Not to defend Michael Vick or anything) Especially in the heat of the moment of a game. (which Vick probably lost, right?) But, open firearms in the house? Makes me want to flip Tank Johnson the bird! But if I did, he might shoot me. (As it turns out, the guy, his bodyguard, who's pot is was at his house, was killed outside a nightclub last night on the nortside. Shot in the back. Tank was still in the nightclub.)

But then, this is all fed to us by the media. These all could've been his body guards' firearms. Who knows? Nobody had an Illinois firearms ID card for any of the weapons. And, when was the last time I believed everything the media told me?

Also, try to remind your children about what a good role model is/should be be being one yourself. Maybe that way they won't have to look to the Michael Vicks or the Tank Johnsons or the Snoop Doggs out there.

Just my .02

It's not your talent that makes you a superstar, it's your character.

(psst, hey, T.O., you don't seem to have much characrter)