Posted By Roberto Benitez on December 11th, 2009

I feel it is very important that Professional athletes have some type of Obligation to give back to their communities, because it is the best way to keep oneself humble and show the value they have for their roots, where it all began. Without the struggle most athletes would have not created the success they have today. Alot of the struggles come from these communities they were raised in and by giving back it shows that us athletes care for our people who came from our same community. Our Obligation of giving back gives “Hope” to those young kids and families that they can amount to be somebody in life. We set an example and become role models and heroes to these individuals who we give back to. We are living examples who came from that environment. In reality giving back is the most respectful thing to do on our behalf for others. Our success as champions is more valued as how we serve others out ofour arena. By giving back to our communities we are much more in tune of being “real” and humble in life.


Roberto Benitez

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Posted By Angela Knopf on December 11th, 2009

I once heard that if when we were born it was light and then when we die its dark, we are constantly chasing daylight. Our story lies in that journey and how we write it has a lot to do with our decisions and passions. If we are constantly chasing daylight, what will be our legacy? I have seen “wealth” in the monetary sense, but have seen true “richness” in relationships. This is why I am passionate about helping others out. Do I feel “obligated?” Absolutely not. It’s quite the contrary, I feel passionate about it! Not because I feel that I owe something, but because I believe in the value of relationships and helping others.If someone feels “obligated” then they won’t be invested in it and wouldn’t have near the impact like someone who believes in the good they could do.It’s evident when athletes or people in general are forced to do things they don’t want to, their body language and eyes show it and others can read it around them.

I feel athletes shouldn’t feel “obligated” but wish they knew or could see the potential that lies inside them. It’s like having a huge treasure to share with people and you might be the only one with the key to it. What happens if you never open it? All that potential is unused and what could have been will never come to fruition. It’s funny that people think to really give back, you must give money, when some of the most “priceless” moments have happened in a high-five or a piece of inspiration. All of us athletes recognize that it’s taken a LOT of work to get where we are and have had people along the way help us in some way, whether encouragement, money, or just time. I wish every athlete would sit down and write about 1 or 2 people who have really made a difference in their life and maybe they would see the potential that lies inside of them to make a difference for others. Why should an athlete’s potential for impacting others around them end on the court, the half pipe, the track, the field?

What triggers people/athletes to be more involved? At what point do athletes become the influencer’s vs. the one’s influenced? Would we do more if we were still the ones being influenced? Why are athletes “obligated” more than your average business person, doctor, electrician, teacher, etc. What are some of the main reasons why athletes hesitate getting involved in their communities?

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Posted By Nancy Goffi on December 11th, 2009

First of all, I want to say thank you for having this debate. This is an issue that I feel very strongly about. I played professional soccer for 4 years in the US and a couple of years overseas. It was a dream job, but I found that I had a lot of free time on my hands, so I decided to start volunteering in the community. I felt that I was fortunate enough to be placed in a role where I could positively influence the lives of people, especially children. This was the most important thing about being a professional athlete for me. Everyone can help inspire kids, but it happens to go further if it comes from a professional athlete and we as professionals must take advantage of that fact. I’m not saying that you have to be a professional athlete inspire and motivate kids, but it definitely helps! It doesn’t have to be a huge ordeal where you go to an organization and give a speech, but you could just give a little bit of your time. That’s inspiring right there… the fact that a professional athlete would take time out of their busy day and spend it with the Boys and Girls Club or whatever organization. We can change the lives of so many kids just with our time. Every child knows how to dream and with our help we can give them an understanding of what it will take for them to make that dream into a reality, whether it is a professional athlete, a doctor, or a teacher. I also feel that by inspiring children, we can inspire the community around them. Athletes shouldn’t feel obligated to serve the community, they should want to serve the community! Not many people have that kind of power to change, motivate, inspire and teach the people (adults and children) in their community. Service is never-ending… hopefully the people you give your time to will do the same for
others and so on.

Posted By Missy Foy on December 11th, 2009

First of all, every one of us has an obligation to help those whose lives we have the ability to touch. My Aunt Cele used to tell me that “charity starts at your own front door.” As a professional athlete, my front door opens wider than most so I have the ability to touch a lot of lives. Secondly, as athletes, part of our job is to perform for an audience whether we like to admit that or not – if this wasn’t so, we would simply run against our own watch. The audience we perform for makes our careers and makes our front doors open wide and deep. Finally, I think it would be selfish and irresponsible of me to ignore all this and not give back.

Posted By Yolanda Griffith on December 11th, 2009

I do not believe that it is an athlete’s obligation to give back to the community. I believe that it is everyone’s responsibility to give back to the community. Athletes, superstars, and celebrities have a unique opportunity to have a platform for visibility for the work they do and should use their platform wisely. Most people, however, may not have the same visibility, but can most definitely have same impact on the community. Moreover, I think that everyone needs to have a better understanding of how she or he can make an impact. It is not always about the amount of money you can give to a charity. Raising a healthy community is similar to raising a healthy child. The time, effort, love, and attention you give produces more positive results than any amount of money can.