Ginna Gutierrez, wife of Diego Gutierrez, Offers Her Opinion on Athlete Obligation

Ginna Gutierrez joins Tony Hawk, Mia Hamm, Annika Sorenstam and more by responding to the oft-debated question: "Do all professional athletes have an obligation to give back?" as a part of Athletes for Hope's 'Who Gives?' Campaign.

"As the wife of a professional soccer player, I absolutely and wholeheartedly believe that athletes are obligated to give back. I realized, very early into my 12-year marraige to Diego Gutierrez(Major League Soccer), that we have been blessed with many gifts. My husband was blessed with the gift and the ability to play soccer at the highest level, putting him in the public eye and giving him an elevated platform and a voice louder than I could ever have imagined. I found that when I spoke of certain issues alone, without dropping my husband’s name, I was heard but it was nothing like the attention I got when I went into a room and told people that my husband was a professional athlete. Like it or not, athletes and celebrities are role models and idolized by millions. With their skills and their direct access to the world’s stage and to the media, they can touch lives personally and in a unique way. I realize that some are introverts, some are wild and wreckless, some make WAY more money than others, some are more educated than others, some are not good with the media and some are brilliant public speakers. While they are all given different gifts and talents outside of their ability to participate in their sport, they ALL have the ability to give back in some way. It can be the giving of time, their voice, their strength, their sport, or their skills. Just their presence or the appereance of an athlete at an event can totally make the difference. I am certain that every athlete can give, at least, one hour of their time, at some point, in their professioal career to attend an event for charity or sign some autographs for the greater good. It can and will directly inspire others to give back. EVERYONE is able to give back in some possible way!"