There is no denying that America's youth look up to professional athletes as role models. In today's sports universe, it's becoming increasingly difficult to find an athlete worthy of this respect.
With each passing day, a new athlete enters the police blotter. Gun, drug and domestic abuse charges fill the headlines. This past summer, NBA star Kobe Bryant, a role model to countless adolescents, had his image tarnished forever and left parents scrambling to explain to their kids why their idol is facing rape charges in Colorado.
Many of today's star athletes shy away from the title of role model. LeBron James, the newest star athlete, shies away from nothing. James grasps and welcomes the role that comes with the celebrity and prestige of being a professional basketball player.
"Of course I'm a role model," James said. "Any pro athlete that plays basketball - plays any sport - is automatically a role model. I'm happy to be one, too."
Most star athletes act as they please, disregarding that millions of youths try to emulate every move they make, on and off their respective playing fields. To many, the fame, big contracts and fast lifestyle just creates an even bigger ego.
"Most guys would get the big head," Cleveland Cavaliers forward Ira Newble said. "LeBron is not like that at all."
Different eras dictate different role models. At one time in the NBA kids looked to Julius "Dr. J" Erving as their role model, followed by an era of Magic Johnson and Larry Bird, followed by an era of quite possibly the biggest role model of them all - Michael Jordan. Jordan has retired, again, and now it is James' turn with the kids.
"LeBron is already a hero to young kids," said Branson Wright, the Cavs beat writer for the Cleveland Plain Dealer . "They don't want to hear about Jordan anymore. He was great, but LeBron is just out of high school, is successful, cool, doesn't get in trouble, has cool commercials and has his own shoes."
James, who is 19 years old, is only a kid himself, making it easy for him to relate to children.
"Kids can identify with LeBron," said Eric Goodwin, an agent for James. "Kids gravitate toward LeBron, and LeBron gravitates toward them. Kids get him. He's a good guy, a cool guy. He is someone you'd want to be friends with."
James knows kids idolize him and he embraces the youth that can be constantly heard chirping his name whenever he is in within their sight.
"I love the kids and like nothing more than to put a smile on a kid's face," James said.
Nobody ever said being a role model is easy. Athletes are human too, and some days are just better than others.
"Even if it's a bad day you have to keep a smile on your face for kids, and I'm always going to do that," James said.
Everyone who has had contact with James has raved about the maturity of the young superstar, but people also rave about how humble and genuine he is.
"LeBron knows how to treat people," former Cavs great and current TV analyst Austin Carr said. "The young man is not full of himself and understands where he came from."
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