Is playing in the NFL an earned right, a privilege, or somewhere in between?

Mods – if this is off topic, feel free to delete. I'm primarily curious about what being a player in a professional sports organization means, in light of current events.

Whether NFL (or other pro-sports players) like it or not, they are put in a position to be representatives of their community and role models when playing and excelling at a professional sport. That's actually one of the costs of the fame and fortune.

Plenty of players have argued against that, but disliking the role model status doesn't negate it. Sports figures are role models.

And obviously a lot of hard work and natural talent are required to make it to the pro level. So, this isn't diminishing that work and effort, and the other sacrifices made to keep yourself in the condition of being a professional athlete. But that status also opens a lot of doors that most of us don't have access to, and it gives a platform that most of us don't have.

Given that, is there a certain privilege that exists to be able to compete and play to this level? Is it an opportunity that should be taken seriously, and lost if it's not?

Clearly, the discussion goes specifically to Watson's situation. He's got a natural talent, and has worked hard to get where he's at, professionally. He has put himself and his body through hell to maintain that position. He's put a lot of work into crafting a certain image, as well – the image that promotes him as a good role model and socially aware citizen. But, the current 21 civil lawsuits and 2 criminal complaints relating to sexual harassment/assault/rape and or other charges puts him in a different light than the image he cultivated.

So, if he's found guilty (or when any professional player is found to be guilty of a pretty heinous crime), does he deserve a second chance to be vaulted to the same position of celebrity, influence, and fame that he is currently in as a top NFL QB? Or, is that a privilege that is earned, that comes with certain responsibilities that could be revoked if those responsibilities aren't met?

I'm genuinely curious because I feel, on the one hand, that it is a privilege. A professional sports career can make you set for life financially, and can give you a huge platform to make change in the country or world if you choose to do this. It allows you to give back, and allows you to have a life that most don't live. But it's certainly not without hard work. Most of these players put iin a large amount of their life in order to get to that level, and taking everything away that they've worked most of their life (at that point) because they messed up seems pretty harsh. But I guess that depends on the severity of the crime.

Get a DUI, or addiction, but come out of it? I could see that being an inspirational story fitting of a role model. Assaulting and/or raping a bunch of women? I don't think you should ever have that much influence over anyone, much less be put in the position of a role model. I don't care how much counseling you get over it.

To me, a pro sports career is unlike a regular living or career that most of us have, to where everyone deserves a second chance or deserves the means to make a living. It's more of a factor of being able to go back to continue to make millions and be given that status and influence, versus having to go find another career because you blew it.

Thoughts?