Katie Couric's Notebook: Role Model?

By: Katie Couric
Topics: Katie Couric's Notebook

Back in 1993, NBA star Charles Barkley set off a firestorm by insisting -- in a Nike TV ad -- that he was not a role model.

Critics blasted him for supposedly shirking his responsibility to the kids who idolized him -- and bought his sneakers.

16 years later, the debate over athletes as role models is back on the front burner -- thanks to another Nike spokesman, Tiger Woods.

Once thought to be the ultimate role model, it turns out he's anything but that -- at least if the tabloid reports are true.

Now, this may sound crazy, but there may be a way for Tiger to turn it around.

He's announced an indefinite hiatus from golf … to focus on his wife and family.

Nobody's perfect, but if he can show he's contrite and ready to live up to the promises he made to his family then he can possibly become a better person in the wake of this scandal … and perhaps he'll resume the role of someone we can continue to admire.

That's a page from my notebook.
I'm Katie Couric, CBS News.

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by govmess December 17, 2009 9:29 PM EST: Boy are you stupid...this is not about him but about his wife!!! Are you saying if he is contrite his wife should stay with him....you are absolutely crazy...have you never heard of sexual diseases...just think of the jeopardy he put his wife and kids in...he is an unfit husband and father....his wife will never stay with him if she has a brain in her head which obviously you don't; Reply to this comment


by ierv December 16, 2009 11:00 PM EST: I strongly suggest you go to **********. c o m , where i have met many single sugar beauties and rich men, who love chatting sports. online .. .; Reply to this comment


by shylove2 December 16, 2009 7:59 PM EST: Ir's programmed into alpha males and besides maybe he and his wife should just spice things up vby making a porn movie. This role model is ridiculous the companies using them as fake role models are just using them to model fake claims about their products anway. This obsession with fake reality in the media is rather obnoxious. As in the entertainment industry there is lots of truth behind the term sex symbol.; Reply to this comment


by Nalts December 15, 2009 8:26 PM EST: You're my role model, Katie. But that's because I met you IRL at the IRTS foundation awards (where I received for YouTube). My two cents? Not fair to expect celebrities or sports performers to "role model" status, one best left for parents and teachers. Definitely think the Tiger thing is occupying the US psyche in a way that's not healthy. But I did hear a funny joke today. What's the difference between Santa and Tiger? Santa stops at three ho's. I wonder if the CBS moderators will allow this to sit long enough for you to see it, and pretend it's not funny at all.; Reply to this comment