Looking up to AI: How Iverson Was the Perfect Icon

Allen Iverson may not be the player most people think of when they are talking about influential athletes. His rebel personality and delinquent past made people shy away from rewarding Iverson role model status. For parents, Iverson was the complete opposite of who they wanted their children to admire.

Iverson has never had a “good guy” image. Most people think of him as this insubordinate athlete that believed he was better than everyone else.

Having to wear an arm sleeve because of tattoos with vial language, numerous saying he doesn’t need anyone else to win, and the classic “practice” rant when he was supposedly drunk, the list goes on. Allen Iverson became the most rebellious player in the world during his career. No one could even mention the name AI without the conversation of him being so mutineer coming up.

Lets face it. Allen Iverson was the biggest “badass” in the NBA at one point and maybe the entire world of sports at others. No adult liked him, but every kid loved him.

Growing up when Iverson was in the prime of his career, he was the coolest guy alive. Every kid wanted to wear an arm sleeve, just like AI did, and they all wanted to own Iverson’s #3 jersey. It was because he was so overwhelming. Everyone knew about him, which made him a “famous” person, which in kids’ eyes made him someone who was cool. Then he was one of the best basketball players in the world, which again, made him even cooler.

Children tried so hard to be him, but they knew that they didn’t want to be him. As a 10-year old kid you’d go outside and act like you were AI as you shot around. Trying to perfect your crossover, just like Iverson, shooting threes, and driving like you had an entire defense on you. At the same time, you heard how terrible this icon was by your parents. It created the perfect influence.

Kids loved him, which made them want to be him. But at the same time they knew that they didn’t want to be the rebel that Iverson was. It made Iverson the perfect icon.

Because Iverson had such a love/hate relationship with fans it allowed the kids that looked up to him to be so influenced in so many ways. It taught them that they wanted to be the incredible basketball player that Iverson was. But at the same time they learned not to have the defiant attitude that made AI so hated over the years.

Sometimes that’s the perfect athlete for kids. Yes, everyone loves Peyton Manning and LeBron James, who are the enchanting figures of sports, but the criminal attitude also has a positive impact on kids.

Allen Iverson may not be the first person you think of when naming influential athletes, but he’s there. Ask any kid who watched him during his prime, he was their favorite. He may have been the most hated athlete alive in the eyes of parents, but AI became one of the most influential players in the world. Without even knowing it, AI taught kids that, “It’s great to play basketball and be me on the court, just don’t be me off the court. “