Life Coach Explains Society's Expectations of Public Figures Amid Petrino Investigation
By: Brittney Johnson, KARK 4 News
Updated: April 6, 2012
KARK Facebook fans have had a lot to say about Bobby Petrino's motorcycle accident this week. Many are discussing whether personal issues should affect someone's position, both on the job and in the community.
"It doesn't set a good example ethically for his life in general and for his team, he's a coach," said Genie Donovan.
Hadley Eblen said, "I don't know if I'd wanna hang out with him but I hope he can do his job."
KARK spent time with a life coach to take an in-depth look at why some of us are so emotionally invested in public figures and their stories.
"That's probably the healthier person who doesn't really care or is honest about being able to distinguish this is his job, this is his personal life," Life Coach Marquis Hunt said, while explaining why some people get so riled up about public figures and scandals.
"Often times we are bored with our own and we live vicariously through the lives of our celebrities, the wealthy, the rich and the famous," he added.
Hunt says people often project an ideal identity onto celebrities and in Arkansas, Petrino is about as big as it gets.
"When a person like Petrino who represents the very icon or status of what it means to be successfully Arkansan and he is caught up in a scandal that seems to debunk this beautiful notion, it seems to be something that's an assault to all of us," said Hunt.
Others say, it's not about the man, but his leadership and what may happen to those who follow.
"I think it's going to impact the U of A football team to a great extent and I hope they resolve the issues that will come about," said Mark Eastham.
As many raced to our Facebook page posting their comments, filled with a range of emotions, from outrage to apathy, Hunt cautioned against putting public figures on a pedestal.
"He is not necessarily who we think he is and we don't have the right to make him who we want him to be, he is as human as all of us," said Hunt.
"It doesn't set a good example ethically for his life in general and for his team, he's a coach," said Genie Donovan.
Hadley Eblen said, "I don't know if I'd wanna hang out with him but I hope he can do his job."
KARK spent time with a life coach to take an in-depth look at why some of us are so emotionally invested in public figures and their stories.
"That's probably the healthier person who doesn't really care or is honest about being able to distinguish this is his job, this is his personal life," Life Coach Marquis Hunt said, while explaining why some people get so riled up about public figures and scandals.
"Often times we are bored with our own and we live vicariously through the lives of our celebrities, the wealthy, the rich and the famous," he added.
Hunt says people often project an ideal identity onto celebrities and in Arkansas, Petrino is about as big as it gets.
"When a person like Petrino who represents the very icon or status of what it means to be successfully Arkansan and he is caught up in a scandal that seems to debunk this beautiful notion, it seems to be something that's an assault to all of us," said Hunt.
Others say, it's not about the man, but his leadership and what may happen to those who follow.
"I think it's going to impact the U of A football team to a great extent and I hope they resolve the issues that will come about," said Mark Eastham.
As many raced to our Facebook page posting their comments, filled with a range of emotions, from outrage to apathy, Hunt cautioned against putting public figures on a pedestal.
"He is not necessarily who we think he is and we don't have the right to make him who we want him to be, he is as human as all of us," said Hunt.
