Sergio Ramos: Athlete, Celebrity, Role Model

Now I know your general defense – athletes are not role models. No, when they sign their professional contract and jump headfirst into the public eye, they have a license to kill. The media is to blame for making them celebrities, not their sport. So what if they get the odd misdemeanor assault charge? Every family has a black sheep, so why should sport be different?

Well, my friend, I’m afraid just isn’t good enough. I have high standards for my testosterone exuding idols – which is why I am furious at Sergios Ramos for his latest goal celebration and its odd explanation.

For those who missed it, Madrid came back from two goals down to beat Sevilla 3-2 at home and climb aboard the top of the table. It was another impressive come-from-behind victory for Pellegrini’s team. Unless, of course, you think that conceding soft goals early could potentially be a bad thing. Theoretically, of course.

Still, regardless of your thoughts on higher mathematics, Sergio Ramos headed home the game tying goal. The problem? His celebration….

Did you see the hand gestures after the goal? The V and then the synchronized nipple itch? After first I thought – well, it is still kinda cold in Madrid, perhaps the new Madrid jersey does not provide ample warmth to generate the sort of blood circulation to keep those nips nice and toasty. And who wants to run around with those things hard as diamonds? The chaffing would be a nightmare.

However, a loyal tweeter informed me that his celebration was in reference to a visit Mr. Ramos made to a prison. Yes. A PRISON.

And this is not just any prison – those from the UK isles may realize that this is the same Valdemoro prison that once housed Linfield legend William “Winkie” Murphy on a 250 euro counterfeit charge. Can you say depths of despair? Doldrums of despondent? But Sergio went there. But why?

According to the official Real site, it seems that Sergio went to the Valdemoro prison to spend time with some kids. Now I know what you’re thinking – kids also go to parks, malls, and movies. Why not head over to these wonderful spots? Well, aside from smuggling in some cigarettes to convicted cousins, Madrid painted this visit as altruistic.

But did Madrid realize that individuals in prison all have one thing in common – they have been convicted of a crime! With a world of orphanages and kids that didn’t choose to be abandoned or neglected, Sergio fills up the gas tank to his kicking ride and pulls up to the pen. How pleasant.

I know what you’re thinking – perhaps Sergio was confused. In many ways, prisons are pretty similar to hospitals – they are full of nervous and miserable people, tend to shun natural lighting, and the depressing ambiance in the air is so thick you could cut it with a machete. But no. No way. Sergio knew this was a prison – just look at this press release:

And finally, we get to my gripe. Look, Sergio can do whatever he wants in his free time, but he needs to understand that he is a role model. Millions of kids watch and mirror his every move. I can just imagine thousands of kids shoplifting just at the odd chance of getting caught and going to the Valdemoro prison.

Even worse, what about the kids who have a chance of being professional footballers? What happens when, instead of putting in the hours of training and practice to light the world on fire just like your hero Sergio, you find the shortcut – misdemeanor assault and/or possession with intent to distribute?

Sergio doesn’t care. You can see it in his carefree laughter during the prison room press conference. Somewhere, a child kicks a soccer ball. Then, another child pushes that kid, takes his soccer ball, and patiently waits for the police to arrive, arrest him, and take him to Valdemoro.

But the police never come. And this child, well, he ceases to be a child. He ceases to dream. And that, my friends, is why I am thoroughly disappointed with Mr. Ramos and never want to see him warm his nipples in a circular clockwise fashion. NEVER.

No related posts.