A role model is defined as a person whose behavior, example, or success can be emulated, especially by young people.  A role model isn’t confined to how much money a person makes, how many material things one can buy, and what profession one plies their trade in.  A role model is simply someone who does things in a positive way, someone who people can look at, with universal respect, as someone who takes pride in what they do.

Nike made this clear in a 30-second commercial back in the early-90s when Charles Barkley announced to the world six words that reverberated loud and clear:

I am not a role model.

In 1993, as a ten-year-old kid two months shy of turning eleven years old, it made sense.  Charles Barkley played basketball, played basketball as well as anyone in the NBA and was a great example for anyone who played the game.  However, as a kid, it was never a thing to say “I want to be like Charles Barkley.”  Even at ten years old, it was obvious that Sir Charles played the game and that was it (Newsweek Staff, 1993).  He was paid, in his words, to wreak havoc on the basketball court.