Professional.

[LongWait]

Re: Professional.

Not meaning to pick you out LW (you just happened to be the first poster to mention it) but that's exactly the meaning I wouldnt apply to professionalism. I think that just because someone makes their living out of sport doesnt automatically mean they are a professional athlete. I guess the point I'm trying to make is that being a pro is more a state of mind rather than just happening to get paid to play a sport because you are really good at it.

You've quoted me out of context there - I was responding to the claim by TopDog that "...a professional is not a sports player."

If you agree that a professional can't be a sports player, then your thread makes no sense at all.

[boydogs]

Re: Professional.

Professional implies a certain preparation and focus. Usually some sort of training or study is involved that improves the quality of their output.

They practice their artform to the point of mastery.

[Topdog]

Re: Professional.

We may be arguing over semantics here but I can name dozens of "professionals" I know in various fields such as medicine, the law, education, banking, law enforcement, military etc who range from being utter scumbags to being cynical, uncaring money-grabbing arses. I also know a lot who are thorough professionals with whom I happily trust my life.

To single out athletes as being poor role models probably reflects a bias against younger males as role models. Most male sub-23 year old uni students are hardly inspiring role models either.

Nah it is a bias against them being thrust into the role of a role model when they either

a) don't want it
b) aren't ready for it.

I'm dismayed by society using these players in such a manner more than anything but now taking the thread way off topic.

I do believe though that a large number of AFL players are no where near professional.

[Happy Days]

Re: Professional.

Most male sub-23 year old uni students are hardly inspiring role models either.

Oi !