Photo © AP Photo / Phelan M. Ebenhack

Role models these days keep come from all walks of life and in all shapes and forms, but should the sports stars of today be looked up to?

Media increasingly love reporting on sport stars and their private lives, but whilst this is inevitable, in many cases it is also unwanted. AFL Brownlow Medallist Chris Judd has rejected the idea that he was a role model for younger generations, saying he wants to be a “good footballer - nothing more, nothing less”.

However, many see that sort of attitude as a cop out, feeling that once you obtain a certain salary and status through sport, you take on an identity as a role model whether you like it or not, and young hopefuls are likely to follow your lead.

Ben Cousins’ recent prescription drug saga has reportedly led to more kids taking caffeine tablets and Red Bull, with the impression it will heighten their performance in sport.

NBA basketballer Andrew Bogut has said he is not comfortable with the role model tag, that although he happens to be in the media spotlight he thinks there are more important people in the world to see as role models than himself.

But just as Tiger Woods' affairs and the Lara Bingle photo scandal were so widely exposed, whether sports stars set good examples is far from certain.  What is not in doubt is sports stars’ lives are always in the limelight.