Big-name athletes face tough choices beyond selecting an agent and determining what contractual terms to negotiate from the teams they play for. There are numerous products, charities and organizations requesting their time and use of their names. Crazy fans ask for their autographs at all times of day or night, and a star athlete can find his or her Twitter followers doubling by the hour. Plus, sports prowess can bring celebrity, and with it celebrity relationships.

Put it all together, and spending a quiet night at home isn't often a young star's first choice, even if it would be a smart choice. The lure of nightclubs is strong. Alcohol and drugs can be tempting, and many male sports figures have found themselves answering to multiple paternity suits. Even something as underground as dog-fighting tackled one of the most talented football players of recent times. And then there's the escalating, dangerous mix of athletes and guns.

Off-the-field, recreational preferences are only part of the problem. Big-name sports stars even make highly questionable career choices. Why else is "PED" (performance-enhancing drugs) an acronym on so many sports fans' tongues? And why have some of our biggest sports heroes (Barry Bonds, Lance Armstrong, Alex Rodriguez, Marion Jones, Michael Phelps and Manny Ramirez to name a few) found themselves mired in speculation or shame of late?

These bad choices by prominent sports stars has many experts worried about the example it sets for teen athletes. While many schools have instituted or are considering drug testing for their students involved in sports, some officials say such programs do little good.

Not that all athletes make poor choices. Some are positive role models for the youth that look up to them. And others take the lead in contributing and raising money for charitable causes. Should they be role models? It's a question that continues to spark much Web debate.