The last few posts here at Celebrity Psychings have spawned some interesting comments and conversation about the responsibilities of celebrities – specifically, whether or not they have a responsibility to “watch what they say,” for lack of a better phrase, and whether or not we actually have grounds for expecting them to do so.
However, a few weeks ago, AP Sports Columnist John Leicester wrote an article that turns the tables on us.
“Do Fans Drive Our Sports Heroes To Despair?” takes a look at the kinds of negative impacts a sports fan’s reactions to an athlete’s performance has on said athlete, as well as the kinds of negative impacts an athlete’s own thoughts, expectations, and perceptions bring himself. Among the fact that injuries can sometimes compound an athlete’s depression and the ill advice of doctors (one doctor supposedly told British football player Stan Collymore, who was suffering from depression, to “score a couple of goals” to feel better), Leicester cited the recent suicide of Germany’s goalkeeper Robert Enke, stating:
Demanding fans aren’t to blame for the suicide this week of Germany’s goalkeeper Robert Enke. But living in the public eye, subject to adulation one minute and scorn the next, can make depression harder for sports people to bear. In mourning Enke, football and the millions who follow it would be wise to examine their roles in such tragedies.
“In mourning Enke, football and the millions who follow it would be wise to examine their roles in such tragedies.”
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Cal
4:38 pm on
December 5th, 2009I think the real question should be..Who hasn’t?
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