'World's Sexiest Athlete' Alica Schmidt Turned Down a Massive Endorsement Deal Because She 'Didn't Feel Comfortable'

It is the absolute height of hypocrisy to begrudge any athlete from making an honest living off their talents. In fact, it always has been. But until very recently, it was not only acceptable to do so, it was commonplace. 

Sports anchors who get paid to read scores and show highlights would decry the salaries of the athletes they talk about. Fans who would never miss a game complained about how unfair it is the players they tune into watch get paid so much. Hell, a majority of the public would take the side of team owners in labor disputes and argue these guys should consider themselves "lucky they get to play games" for a living. Or dismiss legitimate salary demands as just "Millionaires vs. Billionaires."

But no more. The public has grown up. And now recognizes that these special, supremely athletic people are entitled to the same right to profit from their skills as any worker. Blue collar, white collar, or no collar.  The last people on that island are the NCAA coaches and administrators who got filthy, stinking rich off a system that made sure none of the revenue went to the people we pay to see. And anytime one of them complains about the new business model, they get derided as the hypocrites they are. 

Still, while it's an old-fashioned notion to imagine any world class athlete turning down money, it's refreshing any time it does happen. Take for instance, German track star/World's Sexiest Athlete Alica Schmidt. She puts in long, grueling hours, dedicated to her craft, trying to make herself better with each meet. As Reags pointed out, her self-improvement is a full time career:

But her integrity? That's not available at any price:

Daily Mail - German track and field star Alicia Schmidt has revealed how she rejected a huge sponsorship deal running up to 'high six figures' because she 'didn't feel comfortable' - despite earning a modest income. …

She has … shown off the glamorous side to her life, wihch has seen her attend fashion shows, PR events and glitzy holidays.

However, Schmidt has revealed she is selective about the brand partnerships she signs up to. …

Schmidt has spoken out about turning down a lucrative endorsement from a 'well known' company, saying she has to be '100 per cent behind' a brand before signing up to it. 

She told Bild: 'Two months ago I received an offer from a well-known brand. But I wasn't 100 per cent behind it. I don't feel comfortable with that. That would have been in the mid to high six figures for a campaign.'

Schmidt has previously spoken about the struggles of an athlete to generate regular income, saying the money that she is paid for competing in competitions is not enough for her to live on.

Let this be a lesson to all our athletes. In fact, to us all. Money is fine. But so is being able to look yourself in the mirror in the morning. And you can't put a price on that. Just because you can slap your name on every good and service in the world, regardless of quality, just to make a fast and easy buck like you're Krusty the Klown, doesn't mean you have to. Yes, I'm looking at you, Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, both Manning brothers, and yes, I'll add Rob Gronkowski. Sometimes less is more. For what will it profit a man if he gains yet another 500 insurance commercials, but loses his soul?

I never bought into that nonsense about "the Olympic Ideal." Where everyone was raking in revenue from fast food places and soft drinks except for the competitors. And it was an even stupider idea when you had real amateurs in Capitalist countries competing against pretend "amateurs" from Communist countries. I mean, it was never as if the Soviet hockey players ever actually fought or trained with the Red Army, despite their name. 

Still, that spirit is actually alive and well in the World's Sexiest Athlete. Who won't stoop to pulling in "high six figures" on some crap she doesn't want to endorse. Despite the fact being a tracklete isn't exactly ever going to pay her bills. And her willingness to stand on her principles deserves recognition. All hail our sports queen.